By Sport Analyst
Emmanuel Afonja
Napoli have officially turned down a formal bid from Turkish giants Galatasaray for Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, making it clear they prefer a more lucrative deal from a Saudi Arabian club. The Italian club’s decision comes amid intensifying transfer speculation surrounding the future of their star forward, who has been a hot target across Europe and the Middle East.
Sources within the club confirmed that Galatasaray submitted a concrete offer for the 25-year-old striker, hoping to lure him to Istanbul ahead of their UEFA Champions League campaign. However, Napoli were swift in rejecting the proposal, labeling it “far below expectations” and reiterating their desire to offload Osimhen only to a Saudi Pro League side, where financial terms are expected to be significantly higher.
“We appreciate the interest from Galatasaray, but at this point, we are focused on discussions that reflect Victor’s market value,” a Napoli board member reportedly said. “The Saudi market presents a more realistic path for that.”
Victor Osimhen, who scored 17 goals in Serie A last season despite injury setbacks, remains one of the most coveted strikers in world football. Napoli had earlier set his release clause at around €130 million, although it’s believed they are now willing to negotiate a lower fee with Saudi clubs due to a combination of financial pressures and the player’s desire to move on.
Saudi Pro League clubs, backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), have been aggressively pursuing top European talent in recent transfer windows. Clubs like Al-Hilal, Al-Ahli, and Al-Nassr are rumored to be monitoring Osimhen’s situation closely, and at least one of them is expected to submit an official offer in the coming weeks.
Despite Napoli’s clear preference, Osimhen’s camp has not yet indicated a willingness to move to the Middle East. The Nigerian international is believed to favor staying in Europe, where he remains highly rated by several Premier League and Bundesliga sides. However, no European club has met Napoli’s valuation so far.
The situation now places Osimhen in a delicate position. He signed a contract extension with Napoli in 2023 that runs until 2026, but it has become increasingly clear that both player and club are open to a summer exit — as long as the terms suit all parties involved.
With the summer transfer window heating up, all eyes will be on the next move from Saudi Arabia. If the right offer arrives, Napoli appear ready to cash in on their prized asset — but Osimhen’s final decision may yet define the outcome of this high-stakes saga.
