Osimhen to Galatasaray: How did it happen?

Victor Osimhen has shocked the world of Football by going to Galatasaray as Fabrizio Romano broke the story. The Nigerian striker has had rumours surrounding him for over a year with everyone anticipating the Napoli goal-machine to make a big money move to one of the top European clubs. Now he has finally found his move and it’s a loan to Galatasaray. How did this happen? And more importantly why hasn’t he joined one of Arsenal, PSG or Chelsea?

Osimhen had a release clause of 113 million pounds going into this summer, with not only multiple clubs reportedly interested, but new Napoli manager Antonio Conte was sought on selling the striker and replacing him with Romelu Lukaku.

Well, a friend of Victor Osimhen has taken to twitter to say all about the story of Osimhen’s summer, and why he failed to move to the Premier League.

Victor Osimhen currently enroute to Galatasaray Turkey to sign on Loan from Napoli🇹🇷🇳🇬

- Galatasaray have assured of the deal with happen & all will be in writing
- Assurance from the President.
- The picture na Evidence Taken seconds ago via video call!

Make I shalaye small 🤷🏽‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/wsBksrnGKT

— Buchi Laba (@Buchi_Laba) September 2, 2024

Buchi Laba on twitter has been reporting on the Osimhen story all summer and even video called Osimhen while the Nigerian striker was on his way to Istanbul to sign for Gala.

The Nigerian journalist explained why Osimhen failed to sign for both Arsenal and Chelsea this summer, citing Arsenal simply not having the funds for two 100 million signings two summers in a row, the previous one being Declan Rice.

He explained that Arsenal were interested in the player last summer and were prepared to pay in excess of 100 million pounds to sign the striker, but the financial situation has changed in the past year.

Let me clear;

- It’s not like Arsenal turned down the opportunity to sign Victor Osimhen.. They could not afford him. Edu was in talks with his camp. Same Arsenal that was willing to spend €100m to sign him 1year+ ago.

Arsenal can’t sign €100m+ players in back to back seasons https://t.co/tEeKFfjJph

— Buchi Laba (@Buchi_Laba) September 3, 2024

With Chelsea’s failed move for the striker there was interest on the Chelsea side to conclude a deal this summer with multiple bids and a lot of negotiations, however, Chelsea failed to get the approval of the player and Napoli. Firstly, there was an attempt at a swap deal with Lukaku, with Osimhen joining on an initial loan with an option to buy, no obligation. This deal couldn’t be agreed with Osimhen due to the wage offered by Chelsea, and this issue continued in all negotiations.

The door was firmly shut by Osimhen on August 31st, confirming to Chelsea he wouldn’t sign this summer. Afterwards Chelsea restarted talks and proposed a January move for the player, this deal has not been turned away by the player or Napoli, however, Buchi Laba is certain that the wages in this proposal would’ve made Osimhen sign for Chelsea if the club met those figures in previous negotiations.

If Chelsea have offered what they’re offering now for Victor Osimhen not the disrespectful wages they offered for the past 2weeks. He would have been a blue.

- Yes 100% interest but they’re in the queue

It’s crazy that they totally messed up the opportunity. I say it’s madness.

— Buchi Laba (@Buchi_Laba) September 2, 2024

Now Osimhen is set to sign for Galatasaray, but how has this move materialised?

Galatasaray’s agreement with Napoli is a straight loan, meanong there is no option for Galatasaray to sign the Nigerian on a permanent deal. Alongside this deal, Napoli renegotiated Osimhen’s Napoli Contract to extend it a further year and change his release clause to 75 million Euros, ensuring Napoli get their pay day soon.

The loan is a short term deal until January with the option of extending to the end of the season. The key part of this deal is the break clause which allows 10 specific clubs to break the loan if they activate OSimhen’s new release clause in January, it is believed that Arsenal, PSG, Chelsea and Bayern Munich are amongst the 10 clubs mentioned in this deal. Galatasaray aren’t entirely upset with the agreement as they will now receive a cut of this new release clause when activated. All I can say is the drama is not over yet as when clubs get desperate this could be an explosive January.

Official: Victor Osimhen to Galatasaray on LOAN🇳🇬🇹🇷
- DEAL DONE
- 100% Salary covered by Gala. Same salary he earns at Napoli
- 4months but can be triggered to a full season
- New RC of €75m to be activated in January 2025 by 10 clubs. Gala gets cut.
- Medicals ONGOING ⌛️⏳ pic.twitter.com/EQYwwclxip

— Buchi Laba (@Buchi_Laba) September 3, 2024