Casting back one’s mind to last summer, it seemed Victor Osimhen would be inactive for the whole 2024-25 season after Napoli deregistered him from the squad.
The Nigerian forward was not going to be part of Antonio Conte’s plans the moment he took charge at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, with the Italian tactician having preference for Romelu Lukaku whom he ultimately signed.
Matters were made worse when Napoli could not agree to an exit for Osimhen after the summer transfer window for leading European leagues closed.
The thought of a player who handed Napoli their first Serie A title in 33 years, won the Capocannoniere award as top scorer and was crowned 2023 African Player of the Year, not playing for an entire season all because his club no longer required his services was unthinkable.
With the Turkish Super Lig having a lengthier transfer window, Osimhen was able to seal a loan move to Galatasaray for the rest of the season.
His arrival in Istanbul, Turkey’s commercial capital, was met with a lot of buzz and fanfare, which was rightly deserved for the kind of player Gala were getting.
Osimhen hit the ground running on his debut with an assist in the 5-0 league win over Rizespor followed by further assists against fierce rivals Fenerbahce and PAOK FC in the Europa League before opening his goal account with a brace in a 3-3 Super Lig draw with Kasimpasa.
The 26-year-old has scored with incredible consistency with an astonishing 25 goal involvements (20 goals, five assists) in as many competitive games (as at the time of writing).
Statement game from a special man. pic.twitter.com/izzIFref81
— Galatasaray EN (@Galatasaray) February 17, 2025
Indeed, Osimhen has failed to score or assist in only four games he featured for Galatasaray while he has missed six matches due to muscular problems and one for yellow card accumulation.
This is a testament that the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup champion is settled at Rams Park which he has emphasised in the past.
“It was very important to come to this team and be a part of this big club and adapt quickly,” he told the club website after netting a brace in a 5-1 league win over Kayserispor.
“All my teammates and staff played a very important role in this. They made me feel at home from the very first moment. I adapted very easily.”
For a player who says he feels at home already, it would not be out of place if his loan move is made permanent. Of course, there are concerns over such a deal. It is not certain if Galatasaray can afford to pay his €75 million release clause. The highest fee the Istanbul giants have paid for a player was €18 million for Brazilian Gabriel Sara from Norwich City last summer.
While that is almost four times less than Osimhen’s release clause which was originally set at €130 million when he signed a contract extension with Napoli in December 2023, Napoli could arrange a flexible deal that would be convenient to pay.
Osimhen is not without any suitors, with links to Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus all in the rumour mill. It will no doubt be a sensational move for the former Wolfsburg player to go to any of these clubs, but he risks being under immense pressure due to the high expectations in those environments.
There is also no guarantee that his presence will bring improved form for these teams as the clubs might be changing managers from time to time in a bid to get the best out of the team amid increased competition from other clubs.
This means Osimhen’s move to any of these sides is a big gamble, hence he must weigh his options carefully. He is at a point in his career where things have to work well around him so he can continue to enjoy favourable publicity.
He cannot go to clubs where his value and presence will be questioned all because of the team’s inconsistent form. This has been a theme at clubs like Man United and Chelsea in recent times.
If staying at Galatasaray will be Osimhen’s best option in the summer, he should not pass up on it. When the moment comes for the right move, he can then make it. The moment can be this summer but if not, Galatasaray can be a good option for him.
The club has a massive fan base in Turkey and is no stranger in Europe. They are currently unbeaten in the Super Lig after 23 games (W20 D3) and look poised to lift a record-extending 25th title and third on the bounce.
The affinity Osimhen is gradually building with the Galatasaray fans can make it home for him, after all, the popular saying: “there is no place like home”.
