Victor Osimhen Playing the Waiting Game as Galatasaray Meet Napoli Bank Guarantee Demands Over €75m Transfer

Galatasaray Push to Complete Record-Breaking Deal for Nigerian Striker

Victor Osimhen, the prolific Nigerian striker, may soon be at the center of the most significant transfer in Turkish football history. Galatasaray have reportedly met Napoli’s stringent financial demands, including submitting bank guarantees worth €75 million, as they attempt to seal a sensational move for the 25-year-old. While the move is yet to be finalized, the momentum is rapidly building, and Galatasaray fans are holding their breath.

What Happened: The Negotiation Timeline

Over the past few weeks, Galatasaray have been actively pursuing Victor Osimhen, who spent the 2024-25 season on loan with the Istanbul giants. After his remarkable campaign—scoring 37 goals in 41 appearances across all competitions—it’s no surprise the Turkish champions are eager to make the deal permanent.

Initially, talks with Napoli hit a roadblock. The Serie A club had rejected Galatasaray’s earlier offers due to concerns about the structure of the payments. Napoli—still recovering from a turbulent domestic season and planning an overhaul under their new head coach—were adamant that the money be secured and properly guaranteed.

According to Italian newspaper La Repubblica, those concerns have now been addressed. Galatasaray returned to the negotiating table with a package worth €75 million: €40 million upfront and the remainder in the form of structured instalments and achievable add-ons. Most importantly, they’ve backed the offer with bank guarantees that assure Napoli of full payment.

The Bigger Picture: Napoli’s Summer Plans

Galatasaray A.S. v Tottenham Hotspur – UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD4

From Napoli’s point of view, letting Victor Osimhen go isn’t just about the money—although the finances will be welcome. The club is preparing for a major rebuild this summer, with multiple positions requiring reinforcement. Club president Aurelio De Laurentiis has made no secret of his intent to reshape the squad following a disappointing league campaign that saw Napoli miss out on Champions League qualification.

Selling Victor Osimhen for a guaranteed €75 million would give the club immediate liquidity and allow them to move decisively in the market. Napoli have already been linked with several attacking options, including Lille’s Jonathan David and Feyenoord’s Santiago Giménez.

Osimhen: Eager for a Return

What makes this transfer saga particularly compelling is Victor Osimhen’s own stance. Unlike many high-profile transfer negotiations where the player remains tight-lipped, Victor Osimhen has already made it clear that he wants the move. After enjoying life in Istanbul during his loan spell and forming a strong bond with both the fans and teammates, he’s reportedly given his full approval to return.

Sources close to the club suggest that personal terms have already been agreed, and Victor Osimhen is waiting for the green light to fly in and sign the paperwork. In the meantime, he’s remained professional, continuing pre-season training while staying in close contact with Galatasaray officials.

Did You Know? Record-Breaking Territory

If finalized, this deal would obliterate the current Turkish transfer record. Until just days ago, that record belonged to Orkun Kökçü, who joined Besiktas from Benfica for €25 million. Victor Osimhen’s proposed move is triple that figure and represents a seismic shift in Turkish football’s global perception.

Galatasaray’s willingness to spend big is also a reflection of their broader ambitions. After reclaiming the Super Lig title and making a deep run in the UEFA Europa League last season, the club is looking to position itself as a regular presence in Europe’s latter stages. Signing a player of Victor Osimhen’s caliber would go a long way in signaling that intent.

Galatasaray’s Financial Commitment

Fenerbahce-v-Galatasaray-Turkish-Cup-QF

This is no ordinary transfer. Beyond the upfront cost and add-ons, Galatasaray will also be committing to a sizeable wage package for Victor Osimhen, which will reportedly make him the highest-paid player in the club’s history. The club’s board has held multiple meetings over the last month to ensure that the finances are aligned with UEFA’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) guidelines.

By providing the bank guarantees that Napoli insisted on, Galatasaray have proven that they are serious. These guarantees act as a financial safety net for Napoli, ensuring that if Galatasaray were to default on a future payment, the bank would cover the cost.

What Next for Galatasaray?

With Napoli now in receipt of the guarantees and reviewing the final paperwork, Galatasaray are preparing for the next steps. Legal teams from both sides are aligning on payment schedules, add-on triggers, and various clauses related to performance, appearances, and injury protection.

Further meetings are scheduled this week, and Galatasaray are hopeful of finalizing the deal before their pre-season tour kicks off. The club will travel to Germany and the Netherlands for friendly matches, and they would ideally like Victor Osimhen to join the squad by then.

A Word on Osimhen’s Development

Victor Osimhen’s journey to the top of European football has been anything but straightforward. From his early days in Lagos, Nigeria, to his breakout performances at Lille and Napoli, Victor Osimhen has developed into one of the most complete forwards in the modern game.

What sets him apart isn’t just his physical attributes—pace, strength, aerial ability—but his football intelligence. He times his runs impeccably, presses with intensity, and leads by example. His loan spell at Galatasaray last season helped him rediscover his form, and the Turkish club’s tactical system seems perfectly suited to his strengths.

Final Thoughts: A Waiting Game With High Stakes

Transfers of this magnitude rarely move quickly. Even with all the paperwork in place, there are always late twists, legal considerations, and the ever-present risk of a competing offer. But Galatasaray have done everything right so far: they’ve secured the guarantees, agreed terms with the player, and structured a deal that satisfies Napoli’s demands.

Now, the ball is in Napoli’s court. A decision is expected within hours, and if the deal goes through, it will mark a new era for both clubs.

For Galatasaray, it would be a historic signing—one that not only boosts their title chances but elevates their brand on the European stage.

For Victor Osimhen, it’s a chance to become the face of a project built around him.

And for Napoli, it could be the first big domino in a summer of significant change.