Turkish giants Galatasaray have confirmed that they are in discussions to sign Napoli striker Victor Osimhen on loan following a whirlwind summer transfer saga.
A big-money switch to either Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea or Al-Ahli appeared inevitable for the Nigeria international during the most recent window, having made his desire to leave Napoli clear to club management.
New head coach Antonio Conte froze Osimhen out the squad in favour of new arrival Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea, and the Blues looked the likeliest to secure his signature heading into transfer deadline day.
However, Saudi giants Al-Ahli instead reached an agreement with Napoli to sign the former Lille marksman, but in a shock turn of events, they shook hands on a deal for Ivan Toney with Brentford less than an hour later.
While Toney quickly agreed personal terms with the Middle Eastern powerhouses, Toney never gave the final green light to join Al-Ahli, and Chelsea reportedly went back in with a last-ditch effort to bring him to Stamford Bridge.
© Imago
Galatasaray announce Osimhen talks as 'agreement' reached
The Blues saw their salary offer snubbed by Osimhen, who ultimately decided to remain with Napoli, but he was ruthlessly axed from Conte's squad to leave him without the prospect of no competitive football for months.
However, with the Turkish transfer window still open until September 13, Galatasaray have swooped in to offer Osimhen a last-ditch saving grace, as confirmed by the club themselves on Monday night.
"Official negotiations have begun with the football player and his club SSCN Napoli SPA regarding the temporary transfer of professional football player Victor James Osimhen. It is respectfully announced to the public," the statement read.
While Galatasaray only confirmed that talks were underway, journalist Fabrizio Romano reports that an agreement has already been reached for Osimhen to join the Turkish side on loan for the 2024-25 campaign.
The deal will be a straight loan with no option or obligation to buy, and Osimhen - who has also signed a new Napoli deal with a reduced release clause - will reportedly earn between €9m (£7.6m) and €10m (£8.4m) in yearly wages in Turkey.
🚨🟡🔴 BREAKING: Victor Osimhen to Galatasaray, here we go! Deal done and all documents have been approved.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 2, 2024
Osimhen's release clause will be €75m with Napoli option to extend until 2027.
Loan move to Gala until June 2025, €9/10m salary covered.
No buy option, no obligation. pic.twitter.com/Cc7lAYPPW6
The 25-year-old's previous Napoli deal was thought to contain a release clause of around £113m, but Romano adds that his new option is significantly less at €75m (£63.2m) after the Italian club's failure to offload him this summer.
Osimhen boasts 76 goals and 18 assists in 133 matches for Napoli across all competitions, including a league-high 26 efforts in 32 Serie A games en route to the 2022-23 Italian top-flight title.
Could Osimhen still join Chelsea next summer?
Neither Osimhen's entourage nor Napoli probably could have envisaged one of the planet's most in-demand attackers ending up in Turkey for the 2024-25 campaign, but his Galatasaray loan will almost certainly not precede a permanent stay.
The Nigerian simply needed to leave Napoli at any cost in order to actually play football between now and January, and his new £63.2m release clause means that a permanent move away in 2025 is virtually guaranteed.
Despite tying Nicolas Jackson down to a new deal until 2033, Chelsea will almost certainly still be in the conversation, but PSG and Saudi clubs should have one eye on the situation too.
Ben Knapton
