Napoli has firmly rejected Galatasaray’s most recent bid for Victor Osimhen, heightening tensions between the club and the Nigerian striker. Despite an outstanding loan spell at Galatasaray last season where Osimhen netted 37 goals and contributed eight assists en route to a domestic double Napoli is showing no signs of softening their stance.
Galatasaray has made repeated attempts to secure Osimhen’s services on a permanent basis. Their initial offers of €55 million and €60 million were dismissed outright by the Italian club, who remained steadfast in demanding the full €75 million release clause. Even after the Turkish champions agreed to meet that figure, their proposed payment structure of five installments was deemed unacceptable.
Napoli’s response was not just financial. They insisted on a bank guarantee for the full transfer fee and have now reportedly added a condition for a 20 percent sell-on clause, further complicating the deal. A new proposal from Galatasaray that included €40 million upfront and €35 million across two installments was also rejected, fueling frustrations on both sides.
Osimhen, who had already agreed to a lucrative €16 million annual salary with Galatasaray, is growing increasingly frustrated with the stalled negotiations. His absence from Napoli’s pre-season medicals has not gone unnoticed. Although he submitted a medical report explaining his absence, his actions are being interpreted as a direct response to how Napoli is handling the transfer saga.
The striker has been spending the off-season in Lagos, Nigeria, while Napoli gears up for a new campaign. Reports indicate that the club has issued a formal directive for him to return to training or risk facing disciplinary consequences. Should he report back, Osimhen is expected to be isolated from the main squad and train separately, with no involvement in tactical preparations.
The standoff paints a tense picture of a relationship that appears to be rapidly deteriorating. Napoli’s rigid approach to negotiations and insistence on specific financial terms suggest they are in no hurry to part with their star forward—at least not on terms they find unfavorable. On the other hand, Osimhen’s absence and reported dissatisfaction could signal a player who feels caught in a stalemate with no clear resolution in sight.
With no concrete interest from other major European clubs willing to meet Napoli’s demands, the deadlock with Galatasaray remains the most likely avenue for Osimhen’s departure unless either side is willing to compromise.
