Napoli: Galatasaray have a plan for Victor Osimhen
Could Victor Osimhen stay at Galatasaray? That is certainly the wish of the Turkish club, who want to extend the adventure
Sport News Africa · Author profile ·
Listen to this story
Audio version in preparation · read aloud by your browser meanwhile
This is arguably the most surprising move of this 2024 summer transfer window. Victor Osimhen was loaned by Napoli to Galatasaray, even though several big European clubs were in the hunt. But unable to agree terms with both the Napoli hierarchy and the player, they backed off. And Napoli, determined to part ways with their Nigerian striker, had not even included him in the squad list for the Serie A, going as far as taking his number 9 shirt away to hand it to Romelu Lukaku. A departure was therefore inevitable for Serie A's top scorer in 2023. Turkey, the last window still open, was thus the only way out to avoid a lost season.
And even though he has yet to score, Victor Osimhen is making a good start. He has provided two assists in two games played, one of them last weekend in the 3-1 win in the derby against Fenerbahçe. Galatasaray's directors are happy and do not want to hear talk of a departure. Indeed, while several media outlets report that the 2023 African Player of the Year has a clause allowing him to leave as early as January, the Galatasaray vice-president flatly denies it. Ibrahim Hatipoglu told Spor Kazani: "There is no possibility of Osimhen leaving us in January. In fact, we are working so that he is still playing here next season. He will be a Galatasaray player until June. Talking about these things only serves to grab attention and spoil the pleasure of watching Osimhen play," the executive insists.
Victor Osimhen set to stay?
Ibrahim Hatipoglu goes further still. The vice-president is already looking ahead to next season, with Victor Osimhen still in the Istanbul side's squad. "He shows in every match the affection he has for Galatasaray. He is happy. He is under contract until the end of the season. Now we are going to think about how to continue with him in the coming seasons. Discussing whether he will leave in the middle of the season or not makes no sense." It remains to be seen where the 25-year-old Nigerian stands on all this. He has notably declared his desire to play in the Premier League.