Galatasaray’s hopes of signing Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen on a permanent deal have dramatically increased, with Turkish football insider Zeki Uzundurukan revealing that the Istanbul giants now have a 70% chance of landing the prolific forward, Soccernet.ng reports.
Osimhen has been in blistering form during his loan spell at Galatasaray from Napoli, helping the club secure their 25th Turkish Super League title and finishing the season as the league’s top scorer.
Despite reported interest from several European heavyweights including Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Juventus, Galatasaray appear to be in pole position.
Speaking to Turkish outlet Fotomaç via GsGazete, Uzundurukan – the paper’s editor-in-chief – stated that top clubs across Europe have cooled their interest, while Saudi Arabian clubs remain divided over a potential move.
“Transfers are not made so easily in Saudi Arabia,” Uzundurukan explained. “The Confederation looks at it and makes decisions accordingly. If it increases the quality of the league, they accept it.
“Now Al Hilal managers are divided into two. One side wants 26-year-old Osimhen. They think he will be successful in the long term. The other side wants to see Cristiano Ronaldo.
“Al Hilal cannot just go and give 40 million Euros to a player. The Confederation controls that business.”
Uzundurukan claims to have inside knowledge from Galatasaray president Dursun Özbek, stating:
“(Galatasaray) President Dursun Özbek told me. There are no offers (for Osimhen) from Europe. In fact, Galatasaray made a good offer. The claims that Juventus has been in talks are also lies. They never tried to beat Napoli. United and Chelsea are not involved either.”
He added that Osimhen is enjoying life in Turkey and that staying at Galatasaray could be his preferred choice:
“Osimhen wants to stay. It’s like he was reborn here. His teammates like him too. Negotiations are ongoing through Italian manager George Gardi. When he left Napoli, he also left his manager there. Galatasaray is the strongest team. Osimhen will rest a bit and then decide.
“I think he will stay at Galatasaray. Fenerbahçe is not involved either. Because they don’t want that place. There is a 70% chance he will continue at Galatasaray.
“Maybe he stays in the Champions League for a year, becomes successful and goes to big clubs in Europe. Maybe they will sell him for 100 million Euros.”
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What will it cost Galatasaray to sign Victor Osimhen?
Meanwhile, fresh details have emerged about Osimhen’s contract demands.
According to former Galatasaray legend Hasan Şaş, the Nigerian international is asking for a five-year deal worth €20 million annually.
Şaş made the claim during a discussion on KAFA Sports as per Haber3, stating that the forward wants to remain at the club until he turns 31.
In addition to the lucrative salary request, Galatasaray would need to activate Osimhen’s €75 million release clause from Napoli to make the move permanent.
Despite the cost, Galatasaray are reportedly willing to push their financial limits to secure the services of the striker, who contributed an astonishing 37 goals and 8 assists in just 41 appearances this season.