Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen has officially signed a permanent deal with Turkish football giants Galatasaray, concluding a high-profile €75 million transfer from Napoli — the most expensive in Turkish football history. The 26-year-old, who played a crucial role in Napoli’s 2023 Serie A championship win, had already spent the last season on loan at the Istanbul club. During his temporary stay, Osimhen made an outstanding impact by scoring 26 goals in just 30 league games, significantly contributing to Galatasaray’s triumph in securing their 25th Super Lig title. Signs of a permanent move began to emerge earlier in the week when Osimhen was noticeably absent from Napoli’s pre-season training sessions. This absence fueled speculation that both clubs were finalizing terms for a full transfer. Despite returning to Italy after his loan spell, Osimhen was not included in new Napoli manager Antonio Conte’s strategic plans for the upcoming season. This exclusion accelerated Galatasaray’s efforts to bring him back on a permanent basis. The transfer process, which had been in limbo for several weeks due to disagreements surrounding payment structures, finally concluded on Thursday after both parties reached an agreement. This breakthrough allowed Galatasaray to finalize the acquisition of the prolific forward. With this deal, Osimhen becomes Galatasaray’s most expensive player ever and sets a new transfer benchmark in Turkish football history. Meanwhile, Napoli has swiftly responded to Osimhen’s departure by strengthening their squad. The Italian club has secured the signature of Kevin De Bruyne, the talented Belgian midfielder formerly of Manchester City, to bolster their midfield lineup.
