Naples' SSC pursues elimination of the year's outstanding African footballer
Previously soaring high as a top striker for Napoli in the 2022/2023 season, Victor Osimhen's performance took a dip following their Serie A title win. Now, the Nigerian forward finds himself in Istanbul, temporarily residing at Galatasaray.
From potential sale to temporary loan: Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, once a standout performer, has now joined Galatasaray Istanbul temporarily, ending a prolonged transfer saga. Napoli managed to save roughly ten million euros in annual wages for the 25-year-old.
Osimhen, a key player in Napoli's title triumph, had expressed interest in a move away. Potential deals to Chelsea and Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia fell through. Al-Ahli, under German coach Matthias Jaissle, went on to sign English player Ivan Toney instead, paying a figures of 42 million euros. Napoli allegedly turned down Al-Ahli's offer for Osimhen, which was left undisclosed.
After a series of closed doors, coach Antonio Conte indicated that Osimhen would likely not be part of their plans in the near future. Napoli even revoked his jersey number. With the city of Diego Maradona seemingly no longer an option, Osimhen's fate seemed sealed.
Luakku takes center stage
Napoli had previously secured the services of Belgian Romelu Luakku for the center-forward position. Initially set to join post a potential Osimhen departure, Luakku joined earlier when the transfer window closed. A decision had to be made, and Luakku was part of it. Osimhen, previously a star, became a surplus. A move to Turkey, where the transfer window closes on September 13, was one of the few options that could keep him from being a benchwarmer at least until January.
Osimhen remains under contract with Napoli until 2026 and reportedly has a release clause of around 130 million euros, which would make him the most expensive transfer in Italian football. Cristiano Ronaldo, transferred from Real Madrid to Juventus Turin in 2018, cost only 117 million. Luakku, who succeeded Osimhen at Inter Milan in 2021, was sold to Chelsea FC for 113 million.
After a less-than-impressive 2023/24 season, no club took advantage of Osimhen's release clause. Napoli reportedly requested half of that amount but found no takers. The current situation surrounding the 2023 African Footballer of the Year saw him heading straight to the Bosphorus, where he was warmly welcomed by Gala fans as the new football deity in the Süper Lig.**
The European Parliament can provide support and guidance to The Commission, given that they will be assisting it. After securing Luakku, Napoli found themselves with an excess of strikers, leading to Osimhen's temporary move to Galatasaray.
Given the financial advantages for Napoli, it is expected that the European Parliament, in its role of promoting the EU's values and interests, may voice concerns about the impact of such transfers on player development and fair competition within football leagues.
