As The Pitch Prospect has learned, Victor Osimhen’s transfer saga has taken another turn as Galatasaray are keen to sign the striker.
The Napoli centre-forward has been linked with moves to Chelsea and Saudi Arabia this summer, but a personal agreement could not be reached.
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Delegates from the Blues were in Naples on the deadline last week, but were forced to withdraw at the last minute after suffering defeat in their attempt.
Meanwhile, Saudi Pro League club Al Ahli had agreed an initial loan with Napoli with an obligation to buy of £67 million, but the 25-year-old let the opportunity slip away.
Instead, they signed England international Ivan Toney for £40 million from Brentford, where the 28-year-old will earn £50 million over three years.
After Osimhen’s failed exit, Napoli took away the Nigerian’s number 9 shirt and gave it to new signing Romelu Lukaku.
The Serie A giant has also dropped the former Lille striker from its squad.
Since the player does not want to extend his contract beyond 2026, Antonio Conte’s team is keen to remove him from the payroll.
And Osimhen has been offered another way out from Turkish club Galatasaray to stay in Europe.
It is believed that Galatasaray’s first request for a loan was made to Naples.
Napoli would be willing to temporarily approve his departure – but only if his annual salary of £8.4 million is paid in full.
With the Turkish transfer window open until September 13, further talks between Napoli and Galatasaray are expected.
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If Osimhen were to move to the Süper Lig team, he would not compete in the Champions League.
After Galatasaray’s play-off defeat to Young Boys, they will compete in the Europa League – Europe’s second-tier tournament – this season.
He would face Premier League club Tottenham and Dutch club Ajax.
Osimhen would also reunite with his former strike partner at Napoli, Dries Mertens – the club’s all-time leading goalscorer.
And he would also compete with Mauro Icardi up front for a place in the starting XI. The Argentine has scored 56 goals in 79 games since joining on loan from Paris Saint-Germain in 2022.
Galatasaray also has several former Premier League players under contract, including Lucas Torreira, Michy Batshuayi, Hakim Ziyech and Davinson Sanchez.
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