Galatasaray create Osimhen problem for Napoli and Al-Hilal

Originally posted on Football Italia | By Susy Campanale | Last updated Jun 5, 2025 3:15 PM ET

Victor Osimhen is about to head into another row with Napoli, because while the club demands €75m, he is leaning towards a Galatasaray stay for one very simple reason.

The striker had already joined Galatasaray last summer because the transfer window had closed in most European football markets and nobody was prepared to pay the figure either of them wanted.

It was meant to be a temporary loan so that he could get regular playing time and his transfer value wouldn’t drop too much.

That worked, as he scored 37 goals with eight assists in 41 competitive appearances for the Turkish team.

Now the pair are set to clash again, because while Napoli rejected the €65m plus bonuses offer from Al-Hilal and are holding out for his €74m release clause, Osimhen is resisting too.

Osimhen wants Champions League football

According to Fabrizio Romano, Sky Sports Deutschland and Turkish transfer expert Yagiz Sabuncuoglu, Osimhen would rather accept a slightly lower salary and stay at Galatasaray if it means playing in the Champions League next season.

This is a problem because while they might be able to offer €21m in wages, the transfer fee is still well below that €75m mark.

Both had been hoping that Premier League clubs would step in, but just like last summer, they have been curiously shy about coming forward with big offers.

Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and more are all looking at other candidates first.

It is a recipe for another tense summer where Osimhen and Napoli both stand firm trying to defend their own very different interests.

This article first appeared on Football Italia and was syndicated with permission.

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