Victor Osimhen has completed a loan move to Turkish club, Galatasaray, after they reached an agreement with Napoli on Monday for a one-year deal.
Despite a failed transfer to Chelsea, the 25-year-old Napoli forward agreed to join Galatasaray on loan for a fee of €9-10 million.
As part of the deal, Osimhen requested that his release clause at Napoli be reduced from €130 million to €75 million, along with a January break clause in case top clubs express interest in signing him.
The Nigerian international has been a highly sought-after player in the transfer market, with anticipation building around his potential departure from Napoli.
Reports indicate that Napoli approved the dry loan without an option to buy, on the condition that Galatasaray covers his full salary of nearly €11 million per season.
Galatasaray had the option to pay a loan fee and share the wages but ultimately agreed to the terms set by Napoli.
Napoli's director of sports, Giovanni Manna, previously mentioned in an interview that negotiations with the Turkish team were progressing well and were close to a final agreement.
According to Pooja Media, both clubs agreed that Osimhen’s €130 million release clause could potentially be activated by interested parties starting in January 2025.
There were rumours that Osimhen was eager to join Galatasaray after facing the possibility of being sidelined until the transfer window reopens in January.
Despite his desire to move to the EPL before the summer transfer deadline last Friday, Osimhen was unable to accept Chelsea's offer of €4 million per year plus €4 million in performance-related bonuses, as it was significantly lower than his current €12 million annual salary at Napoli.
Reports also noted that Napoli and Al-Ahli had reached an agreement for a €70 million transfer fee plus €10 million in bonuses, with Osimhen set to earn €40 million per season and an affordable release clause for a potential return to Europe.
However, Napoli's demand for an additional €5 million caused complications, frustrating the Saudi club.
It was gathered that Napoli remained adamant about not reintegrating Osimhen into the squad after both transfer deals fell through, citing the Nigerian international’s earlier declaration of his disinterest in continuing with the club.
In Istanbul, Osimhen will reunite with his former Napoli teammate Dries Mertens. Although Osimhen had hoped to join a Champions League team, he will still get the chance to compete in the Europa League with Galatasaray, who will face Tottenham Hotspur and Ajax in the tournament.
