Victor Osimhen’s recent transfer to Galatasaray stirred significant excitement in the football world. Known for his remarkable aerial prowess and astounding shot power and precision, it was not surprising that Osimhen quickly became one of the most talked-about players in Turkish football. This transfer is viewed as a landmark moment for both the player and Galatasaray, potentially reshaping the club’s visibility on the global stage.
At 25 years old, Victor Osimhen boasts an impressive track record. He was ranked 8th in the 2023 Ballon d’Or and was honoured as the African Footballer of the Year at the 2023 CAF Awards, becoming the first Nigerian to receive this accolade since Nwankwo Kanu in 1999. His achievements underscore his status as one of the top talents in world football.
Osimhen’s performance at Napoli was nothing short of exceptional. Since joining the Italian club in a record-breaking €70 million ($77 million) transfer four years ago, he has scored 76 goals in 133 appearances across all competitions. His standout season came in 2022-23 when he played an important role in Napoli’s first Scudetto triumph since 1990, netting 26 goals. However, his 2023-24 season was marred by injuries, which contributed to Napoli finishing 10th in Serie A.
Napoli’s Sporting Director, Giovanni Manna, mentioned that Osimhen had expressed his desire not to stay at the club.
“The situation is very clear, since the end of last season. Victor expressed his absolute desire not to stay at Napoli, not to play for Napoli, and we tried to accommodate him. Then there is a demand and an offer, we thought we had concluded a negotiation, but it didn’t go through,” Giovanni said.
Osimhen’s eventual transfer to Galatasaray, after failed talks with English Premier league side, Chelsea, has generated considerable buzz for the Turkish football side. The reaction from fans and media has been overwhelmingly positive, with Galatasaray’s social media channels experiencing a surge in engagement. The club’s X account saw its follower count jump from around 920K to 1 million, driven largely by posts related to Osimhen. Each post about the Nigerian striker garners significant attention, with many posts receiving over 20,000 likes.
Victor Osimhen expressed his excitement and enthusiasm to the Galatasaray fans.
“I am very happy to be here,” he said. “The atmosphere is incredible, and I’m eager to get on the field as soon as possible. I’ve played with Dries before, and he was a great help to me. I also spoke to him before joining, and I can’t wait to play alongside him again. I was thrilled to see the fans out here at this time of night. I’m determined to excite them with my goals and have them shouting my name.”
Before moving to Galatasaray in Turkey Victor Osimhen had offers from Chelsea and Al Ahli but he couldn’t come to a fruitful agreement with both. Osimhen was ready to accept a contract from Al-Ahli reportedly worth €40 million (£33.7m/$44.3m) per season over four years, which included a release clause. However, Napoli sought €85 million (£71.6m/$94m), and Al-Ahli’s offer fell €5 million short, leading them to pursue the more affordable Ivan Toney instead.
The Blues reportedly proposed an initial annual salary of €4 million, a fraction of what Al-Ahli offered. While this amount would have doubled if Chelsea qualified for the Champions League, it still fell short of Osimhen’s current earnings at Napoli.
In a recent interview, former Super Eagles and Chelsea midfielder, Mike Obi disclosed that rumours around Victor Osimhen refusing a pay cut was untrue, reiterating that Osimhen was not a greedy player. “He just wants to play football and get what he deserves and that’s not a problem. A player knowing what he’s worth and demanding to be paid what he’s worth, that’s not a problem,” Mikel Obi said.
Chelsea’s coach, Enzo Maresca, has indicated that the club might revisit the possibility of signing Osimhen in January, though he remained non-committal about future prospects.
As of 2023 Galatasaray was worth $950 million, according to Square mile magazine. Galatasaray has accumulated the most Süper Lig (24), Turkish Cup (18) and Turkish Super Cup (17) titles in Turkey, thus making them the most decorated football club in Turkey.
Osimhen’s transfer to Galatasaray represents a significant chapter in his career. With many years of top-level football ahead, his tenure in Turkey will be closely watched. The Nigerian striker’s exceptional ability, demonstrated by his Ballon d’Or nomination and impressive goal-scoring record, suggests that he is well-equipped to make a substantial impact at his new club.
Football enthusiasts can catch the new football season matches on DStv’s SuperSport channels and watch the Turkish League on ESPN (DStv Channel 218).