Victor Osimhen’s potential move to Galatasaray has hit a major roadblock as Napoli reportedly demands firmer financial guarantees before giving the green light for the €75 million transfer.
The Nigerian forward, who delivered a sensational performance during his loan spell with 37 goals and 8 assists in 41 matches, had seemed poised to join Galatasaray permanently. After rejecting a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal, the Istanbul-based club stepped forward, expressing willingness to trigger his €75m release clause but with a catch.
Rather than making an upfront payment, Galatasaray proposed paying the fee in installments, a move that Napoli is not entirely comfortable with. To protect their financial interests, the Serie A side insisted on a series of written guarantees, including bank-backed assurances in case of default.
According to Sky Sport Italia’s Gianluca Di Marzio, Napoli has rejected Galatasaray’s current proposal, citing inadequate guarantees as the sticking point. Negotiations have since stalled, leaving the fate of the deal uncertain.
Meanwhile, Turkish transfer pundit Yagiz Sabuncuoglu reports that Galatasaray’s sporting director Abdullah Kavukcu extended his stay in Milan as talks dragged on, hinting at the high tension behind the scenes.
In a bid to push the transfer forward, Osimhen has reportedly refused to attend Napoli’s pre-season training, setting an ultimatum that further underscores his desire to return to Galatasaray. The Nigerian star’s stance has drawn attention from fans and media alike, with many interpreting it as a clear sign of frustration with the slow-moving negotiations.
The high cost of sealing Osimhen’s deal is also impacting Galatasaray’s summer transfer plans. Head coach Okan Buruk has confirmed that their pursuit of Inter Milan’s Hakan Calhanoglu has taken a backseat due to budget constraints.
“Every team would want Calhanoglu — he’s a phenomenal player,” Buruk said in an interview via Sports Digitale. “His love for Galatasaray is very strong, but our financial priorities are focused elsewhere.”
Inter Milan has made it clear they won’t entertain any offer below €30 million, and have given Galatasaray until the end of the month to finalize a deal making it increasingly unlikely.
