Victor Osimhen spent the 2024/2025 season on loan at Galatasaray, winning the league title and the Turkish League Cup…
Galatasaray vice-president Abdullah Kavukçu has hit back at critics who opined that the club didn’t have enough funds to secure Victor Osimhen on a permanent deal, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 26-year-old striker fell out of favour with the Napoli hierarchy last summer, and the atmosphere remained tense, continuing into this transfer window as they refused to budge below their €75M asking fee.
The Nigerian international was targeted by several top European clubs, none of which were willing to pay his release clause, bar Galatasaray and Saudi side, Al-Hilal, which he rejected several times despite their mouthwatering offers.
Ultimately, Osimhen has chosen to head to Istanbul on a permanent transfer, although Napoli held out for more clauses than normal.
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The Serie A Champions retained a 10% sell-on clause in their deal to transfer the prolific goalscorer to Galatasaray. They also made sure he wouldn’t be able to join any Italian club over the next two seasons.
✅ Official & Confirmed
As expected, Victor Osimhen joins Galatasaray SK after an epic fight of talks between Gala and SSC Napoli.
€75M transfer, 10% sell on clause.
Saga finally over & a new adventure for the Nigerian. #mercatopic.twitter.com/bDlgNhFvGu https://t.co/guOdHHMrCM
— Sacha Tavolieri (@sachatavolieri) July 30, 2025
Osimhen arrived in Istanbul late last night to a hero’s welcome, with thousands of passionate Galatasaray supporters flooding Atatürk Airport to greet him.
His arrival was closely followed by hundreds of thousands online, with live tracking of his private jet on FlightRadar24 becoming a nationwide obsession.
Kavukçu’s message to Galatasaray critics
Mr. Kavukçu was delighted that his side were able to beat competition from other European sides, taunting those who hinted they weren’t financially capable of pulling off such.
“My president and I believed in this and started it in January. We worked hard to raise the money, without selling anything,” the 52-year-old said in quotes revealed by Hurriyet.
“We’re paying a certain portion upfront and will cover the entire amount within a year. We said Galatasaray had the capacity to pay this, and we did it.
“The final signings will be finalised on Thursday. Some people called us PR people. We expect those who did will pay us. The responsibility now falls on our fans.
“Galatasaray is huge! We achieved this without asking anyone for money. As for the other transfers, the fans should remain calm, believe in us, and trust us,” the Galatasaray vice-president concluded.
Osimhen, on the other hand, was delighted to remain in Europe and return to RAMS Park, a place he now calls his ‘home’.
“I don’t know how to describe my feelings. I’m so excited to arrive at a place I love. I am home and I am very happy. I’m glad to be back here.
“I was offered a lot of money, but my love for Galatasaray is greater. I thank the fans who wanted me. I’m happy to continue with Galatasaray. My story goes on.
I thank the president, the vice president, George Gardi and Okan Buruk,” the 2023 CAF Player of the Year concluded.
Galatasaray are set to compete on all fronts after securing the services of Victor Osimhen and Leroy Sane this summer. Okan Buruk’s side are edging closer to sealing a deal for Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson Moraes.