Victor Osimhen transfer: Gala meet fee but payment divides

Victor Osimhen transfer talk has erupted again after Turkish giants Galatasaray reportedly told Napoli they will activate the Nigerian striker’s €75 million release clause, pushing the saga to a critical stage ahead of the new season.

Galatasaray’s bold bid for Victor Osimhen transfer

The Istanbul club, fresh from winning back-to-back Süper Lig titles, are determined to add a marquee name who can make an immediate impact in the Champions League. Sources in both Turkey and Italy claim sporting director Cenk Ergun presented an official proposal that equals the full clause Napoli inserted when Osimhen signed his recent contract extension. Crucially, however, Galatasaray want to finance the Victor Osimhen transfer in three annual instalments, each worth €25 million.

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis is reluctant to sanction any sale that does not bring in the entire €75 million up front. He maintains that accepting staggered payments would leave the Serie A outfit short of the funds required to reshape the squad under new head coach Antonio Conte.

Why Conte is digging in

Conte has already approved three incoming signings and insists the club’s summer rebuild depends on immediate cash. The Italian tactician is equally wary of losing a player who scored 26 league goals in the Scudetto-winning 2022-23 campaign and another 15 despite injuries last season. Unless Napoli have enough liquidity to land long-term targets Jonathan David or Santiago Giménez, the coach prefers retaining Osimhen for one more year.

Al Hilal enter the Victor Osimhen transfer race

Saudi Pro League powerhouse Al Hilal have complicated matters by informing Napoli they are willing to pay the entire €75 million in a single transaction. The Riyadh club’s financial clout is unmatched, and they can offer Osimhen a net salary of around €25 million per season—nearly triple what Galatasaray have on the table.

Yet people close to the player say a move to Saudi Arabia is not his priority at 25. Osimhen still dreams of challenging for major European honours and sees Turkey as a stepping-stone before a possible Premier League switch in 2025.

Financial Fair Play and the payment puzzle

Galatasaray argue that spreading the fee over multiple windows allows them to remain compliant with UEFA’s updated financial sustainability rules. The club has already committed €30 million in transfer fees this summer and must balance the books without sacrificing star assets like Mauro Icardi or Kerem Aktürkoğlu.

Napoli, meanwhile, face no immediate Fair Play pressure after banking €50 million from Kim Min-jae’s Bayern move last year. De Laurentiis is therefore negotiating from a position of strength; he can either keep his prize asset or cash out on his own terms.

Player perspective: what does Osimhen want?

The striker has not submitted a formal transfer request, and his agent Roberto Calenda continues to hold weekly talks with Napoli to review options. Osimhen is said to be intrigued by Galatasaray’s passionate fan base and the prospect of leading their Champions League campaign, but he is equally concerned about dropping out of Europe’s top five leagues at a critical stage of his career.

Furthermore, a personal endorsement deal with a global sports-wear brand reportedly includes performance bonuses tied to appearances in the knockout stages of the Champions League—an incentive Saudi Arabia cannot currently match.

Comparing the potential packages

• Galatasaray: €10 million annual salary, three-year contract, Champions League exposure
• Napoli: €12.5 million annual salary until 2027, Serie A title push, Conte’s project
• Al Hilal: €25 million annual salary, four-year contract, AFC Champions League

From a purely financial standpoint, the Saudi offer dwarfs the rest, but career trajectory and visibility remain significant factors for the Nigerian marksman.

The broader transfer market impact

Should the Victor Osimhen transfer go through, Galatasaray would shatter the Süper Lig record fee, eclipsing the €22 million they paid Inter for Icardi’s rights. The move could also trigger a domino effect: Napoli would accelerate their chase for LOSC Lille’s David, while Galatasaray might offload one or both of Lucas Torreira and Tanguy Ndombele to offset wages.

Timing is everything

With pre-season already under way, all parties face a ticking clock. Napoli want clarity before their U.S. tour later this month, Galatasaray need registration completed by the Champions League third qualifying round deadline, and Al Hilal are eager to finalise their foreign-player quota.

Opinion: The smartest play for all involved

If cash flow is the only sticking point, a creative compromise could still unlock the Victor Osimhen transfer. A hybrid deal—€50 million payable immediately with a guaranteed €25 million the following summer—would preserve Napoli’s spending power, satisfy UEFA’s Fair Play guidelines, and let Gala parade a superstar in front of the “UltrAslan.” Whether De Laurentiis will bend remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Osimhen’s next move will reshape the balance of power far beyond the Bosphorus.