Nigeria international Victor Osimhen has once again turned down a mega-money offer from Saudi Arabia, insisting on his desire to remain in Europe and continue playing for Turkish giants Galatasaray.
According to reports from Turkish outlet Milliyet, the Napoli striker personally informed Galatasaray officials of his commitment to joining them permanently, following a successful loan spell last season. Despite a staggering €160 million, four-year contract tabled by Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, Osimhen has made it clear that his ambition lies in competing at the highest level in European football — specifically, the UEFA Champions League.
“I want to continue at Galatasaray,” Osimhen was quoted as saying in a phone call to the club’s leadership. “Get my transfer fee from Napoli. They want to sell me to Saudi Arabia. They have plans to sell me for €100 million.”
Sources say the Nigerian forward reached out directly to Galatasaray’s hierarchy, urging them to act swiftly before Napoli finalises a potential move to Saudi Arabia. The player’s firm stance has triggered an immediate response from the Turkish champions. Galatasaray president Dursun Özbek and Sportif AŞ vice-president Abdullah Kavukcu reportedly held an emergency meeting at Rams Park shortly after receiving Osimhen’s call to explore how to secure his permanent transfer.
Osimhen’s resistance to Saudi riches is not new. The 25-year-old has consistently made it clear he has no interest in switching to the Middle East despite receiving multiple lucrative offers in the past year. His primary focus remains on competitive football at the top level of Europe, a commitment that has further endeared him to Galatasaray fans.
Napoli, however, remain firm on their valuation. Club sources say the Italian outfit is not willing to let Osimhen go for anything less than £75 million (€88 million). Galatasaray’s initial offers of €50 million, €60 million, and then €65 million have all been flatly rejected by the Serie A club.
In an attempt to reach a compromise, Galatasaray is now reportedly negotiating a payment plan that would see them meet Osimhen’s release clause in installments. The Turkish side has proposed paying €25 million per year over three years — a structure they hope will satisfy Napoli’s financial expectations while allowing them to secure the striker’s services without breaching financial fair play regulations.
Galatasaray’s strong interest in retaining Osimhen is unsurprising. The Nigerian was a revelation during his loan spell at the club, scoring vital goals and quickly becoming a fan favourite. His hunger, explosive pace, and goal-scoring instincts played a key role in helping Galatasaray reclaim the Turkish Super Lig title last season, while also qualifying for the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League.
Osimhen’s preference for Galatasaray over other European suitors or Saudi Arabian interest is being interpreted as a major sign of respect for the club’s stature, supporters, and ambitions. The striker is said to be fully aligned with manager Okan Buruk’s long-term vision and sees himself as a central figure in the club’s European campaign.
Meanwhile, Al-Hilal’s massive offer highlights just how far Saudi clubs are willing to go to lure top European talent. The deal on the table for Osimhen reportedly includes a salary package that would place him among the highest-paid players in world football. However, the Nigerian forward is believed to have made his decision based on sporting merit rather than financial incentives.
“Victor wants to play in the Champions League. He knows his value, but he also knows what he wants for his career,” a close source told Africa Live News. “He’s not chasing the highest bidder; he’s chasing greatness. And for him, that means staying in Europe.”
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis is under pressure to offload Osimhen this summer after a turbulent 2024/25 campaign, during which the player publicly expressed his dissatisfaction with the club’s direction. While the Italian side hoped to capitalise on Saudi interest to trigger a bidding war, Osimhen’s firm stance has limited their options.
It remains to be seen whether Galatasaray can strike an agreement with Napoli that satisfies all parties. Time is of the essence, with other clubs — including Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal — said to be monitoring the situation closely, ready to make a move if negotiations between Galatasaray and Napoli collapse.
For now, Galatasaray fans are holding their breath. The club’s leadership appears determined to honour Osimhen’s wish and bring him back to Istanbul, but financial hurdles remain. Galatasaray’s latest proposal — paying the transfer fee in installments — could be the only viable path forward, provided Napoli are willing to compromise.
Victor Osimhen’s choice to reject a record-setting contract in favour of continuing his European career with Galatasaray is being widely applauded as a rare act of loyalty and ambition in modern football.
As negotiations intensify, Africa Live News will continue to provide exclusive updates on Victor Osimhen’s transfer saga and all major moves in the 2025 summer transfer window.
