Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen will join the Turkish side this season from the 2023 Italian champions.
Napoli expelled Victor Osimhen has signed a season-long loan deal with Galatasaray without an option, the Turkish champions and the Italian club have confirmed.
The 25-year-old Nigerian striker, who was greeted by a throng of fans upon his arrival at Istanbul Airport earlier this week, will earn $6.6 million a year, the Turkish club announced on Wednesday.
Napoli have confirmed the loan deal until June 30, and have agreed to renew Osimhen’s contract until June 2027.
Osimhen has been urged to leave Napoli after the club fell into disarray shortly after winning a third league title in 2023.
He led the side to Serie A glory with 26 league goals, but the team have left him out of their squad this season, with his place and the number nine shirt going to new signing Romelu Lukaku.
Napoli had three managers last season and finished 10th in Serie A, but Osimhen scored 17 goals in 32 appearances in all competitions.
https://x.com/GalatasaraySK/status/1831369263225172198?t=noFZCEAVx1rc5GbQmxaXnw&s=19
Chelsea, PSG, Al-Ahly lower their asking price compared to Napoli and Osimhen
Napoli appeared set to cash in this summer, inserting a $144.3 million release clause into Osimhen’s contract when they renewed it in December.
The contract, which is reported to pay Osimhen $12.1 million annually, expires at the end of June 2026.
However, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Saudi Arabian Premier League side Al-Ahly failed to meet Napoli’s valuation or Osimhen’s wage demands.
Meanwhile, Napoli are building their squad for new manager Antonio Conte and have brought in seven players in a bid to revamp their languid squad.
The Nigeria international will play alongside former Napoli player and Belgian Dries Mertens in Istanbul, replacing injured Argentine Mauro Icardi.
Galatasaray, who were eliminated in the Champions League play-offs, will compete with Tottenham, Ajax and AZ Alkmaar in this season’s Europa League.
