Victor Osimhen, one of the most sought-after strikers in world football, has been at the centre of several high-profile transfer sagas over the past few months. His journey from Napoli to the brink of signing with some of the biggest clubs in Europe and the Middle East, including Galatasaray, Chelsea, and Al-Ahli, has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. As a player who has consistently proven his worth on the pitch, Osimhen’s potential moves have garnered significant attention from fans, pundits, and football clubs alike. This article delves into the intricacies of these potential deals, exploring how each club’s interest in the Nigerian striker unfolded, the negotiations that took place, and the factors that ultimately influenced the decisions on both sides.
Osimhen’s situation is further complicated by his rocky relationship with Napoli, a club where he has both thrived and struggled. Despite leading Napoli to a historic Serie A title with his exceptional goal-scoring prowess, tensions between the player and the club have grown, leading to a series of disputes regarding his future. These disagreements have opened the door for other clubs to express their interest, with Chelsea, Arsenal, and Al-Ahli being at the forefront. However, Galatasaray has emerged as a surprising yet significant player in the race to secure his signature. As we explore these developments, it becomes clear that Victor Osimhen’s next move will not only define his career but also have a profound impact on the clubs involved.
Victor Osimhen and Napoli
Victor Osimhen’s tenure at Napoli has been a rollercoaster of emotions, filled with incredible highs and painful lows. Osimhen was instrumental in Napoli’s success, particularly in their historic Serie A title win during the 2022/2023 season, where he finished as the top scorer with 26 goals in 32 league appearances. His relentless drive and ability to deliver in crucial moments made him a fan favourite and a key player for the club. However, despite his on-field heroics, Osimhen’s relationship with Napoli started to deteriorate due to contract disputes and disagreements over his future at the club.
The initial friction began when Napoli insisted on a €120 million release clause, making it difficult for potential suitors to negotiate a deal. Despite interest from clubs like PSG, who had agreed on personal terms with Osimhen, Napoli’s steadfast stance on the fee caused the French club to withdraw from negotiations. Similarly, Chelsea and Al-Ahli faced challenges in securing his services due to Napoli’s rigid demands. The tension reached a boiling point when Napoli excluded Osimhen from their Serie A squad list for the season, signalling a complete breakdown in their relationship.
When reports circulated that Chelsea and Napoli would swap Romelu Lukaku and Victor Osimhen, Osimhen’s agent, Roberto Calenda, stated unequivocally that the Nigerian striker is an elected African footballer of the year and cannot be sold away to make room for new prophets.
In his words, “Osimhen is a Napoli player, with a contract recently renewed with mutual satisfaction. He made history and when there were major offers (also this year) we always accepted the club’s decisions. As I said, it is not a package to be shipped far away to make room for new prophets. Victor was elected African footballer of the year, eighth at the Ballon d’Or, he still has so much to do in Europe. There is need respect and balance.”
🇮🇹 Osimhen è un giocatore del Napoli, con un contratto rinnovato recentemente con reciproca soddisfazione. Ha fatto la storia in azzurro e quando ci sono state offerte importanti (anche quest’anno) abbiamo sempre accettato le decisioni del club.
— Roberto Calenda (@RobertoCalenda) August 26, 2024
Come ho già detto non è un pacco…
Eventually, an agreement was reached to lower his release clause to €75 million, which will be active from January 2025, allowing Osimhen to join Galatasaray on a loan deal.
Victor Osimhen and PSG
During the summer transfer window, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) identified Victor Osimhen as a prime target to strengthen their attack. Impressed by his stellar performances at Napoli, PSG quickly entered negotiations, offering Osimhen a lucrative salary package and securing a personal terms agreement with the Nigerian striker. The deal seemed close, with Osimhen set to take on a key role at the Parc des Princes.
However, the transfer ultimately collapsed due to Napoli’s high valuation of Osimhen, reportedly over €120 million, which PSG deemed excessive. Despite their willingness to invest, the clubs couldn’t reach a compromise. Tensions between Osimhen’s representatives and Napoli’s management further complicated the negotiations, leading to the deal’s breakdown. In the end, PSG moved on to other targets, while Osimhen remained at Napoli.
Victor Osimhen and Arsenal
Arsenal has long been linked with Victor Osimhen, with the club showing interest in signing the Nigerian striker over the past few transfer windows. Edu, Arsenal’s technical director, was reportedly in talks with Osimhen’s camp, exploring the possibility of bringing him to the Emirates Stadium. However, the financial constraints facing Arsenal, particularly after spending heavily on other key signings, made it difficult for them to meet Napoli’s asking price. Despite being willing to spend over €100 million for Osimhen a year prior, Arsenal found it challenging to commit such a substantial fee in back-to-back seasons.
The North London club’s inability to finalise the deal was not for lack of interest, but rather due to the financial demands that came with signing a player of Osimhen’s calibre. As a result, Arsenal had to turn their attention elsewhere, missing out on a striker who could have potentially transformed their attacking lineup. The situation highlights the difficulties clubs face when trying to navigate the complexities of the modern transfer market, especially when dealing with top talents like Osimhen.
Victor Osimhen and Chelsea
Chelsea’s pursuit of Victor Osimhen was one of the most talked-about transfer sagas of the summer. The Blues, in desperate need of a prolific striker, saw Osimhen as the perfect fit for their attacking needs. However, negotiations with Napoli proved to be a challenging endeavour. Initially, Chelsea explored the possibility of a loan deal, which later evolved into discussions about a loan with an obligation to buy. Despite the club’s best efforts, they could not reach an agreement with Osimhen’s camp, primarily due to the player’s reluctance to accept a temporary move.
Osimhen’s agent, Roberto Calenda, made it clear that his client was looking for a more permanent solution, which stalled Chelsea’s progress in securing the deal. Furthermore, the situation was complicated by Napoli’s insistence on a high release clause and their reluctance to lose Osimhen without securing a replacement. In addition to these challenges, Osimhen was required to join Chelsea under specific conditions. He insisted on maintaining the same wages he currently earns at Napoli and securing a 3- or 4-year contract. On the other hand, Chelsea was not asking Osimhen to take a pay cut but rather to slash his current weekly wage by 40%. These financial differences further complicated the negotiations. The negotiations dragged on, with both parties unable to find common ground, ultimately leading Chelsea to miss out on one of their top targets for the summer transfer window.
Victor Osimhen and Al-Ahli
The Saudi Pro League has been making waves in the transfer market, and Al-Ahli’s interest in Victor Osimhen was no exception. The Saudi club was keen on bringing the Nigerian star to the Middle East, offering a lucrative package that would have made Osimhen one of the highest-paid players in the league. However, similar to other interested parties, Al-Ahli faced significant hurdles in their negotiations with Napoli. The Italian club’s demands, coupled with the complexities surrounding Osimhen’s contract, made it difficult for the deal to materialise.
Napoli’s insistence on a high release clause, which fluctuated during negotiations, and their desire to retain Osimhen’s value through a contract extension, ultimately led to the collapse of the deal. While Al-Ahli was willing to meet most of Napoli’s demands, the changing conditions and Osimhen’s own preferences for his future played a crucial role in the deal falling through. Despite the financial allure of the Saudi Pro League, Osimhen chose to keep his options open, eventually opting for a loan move to Galatasaray instead.
Victor Osimhen and Galatasaray
The move to Galatasaray marks a new chapter in Victor Osimhen’s career. After intense negotiations and multiple complications, a loan deal was finalised, allowing Osimhen to join the Turkish giants until June 2025. Galatasaray fans eagerly awaited his arrival, with the club even tracking his flight from Napoli to Istanbul and welcoming him with open arms. Despite not having kicked a ball for the club yet, Osimhen’s impact is already being felt, as the Galatasaray faithful have created a song in his honour, anticipating the kind of dedication and performance he brings to the pitch.
Victor Osimhen with the Galatasaray fans as he completes his move to the Turkish side. New home for the Nigerian striker. 🇳🇬 ⚽🦁 pic.twitter.com/W9KvRnxl4q
— African Folder (@africanfolder) September 3, 2024
The deal, however, comes with certain conditions that reflect the complexities of Osimhen’s situation. Napoli has retained the option to extend his contract until 2027 and has included a €75 million release clause effective from 2025. Additionally, there is a January break clause, giving Osimhen the flexibility to leave if top European clubs come calling during the winter transfer window. This clause was crucial for Osimhen, who was adamant about keeping his options open while securing his immediate future away from Napoli. The Galatasaray loan is seen as a temporary solution, with both parties looking forward to a more permanent resolution in the coming years.
