Tag: Victor Osimhen

Italy 2006 World Cup winner Luca Toni feels Victor Osimhen would not suit Thiago Motta’s playing style: ‘I’m unsure if it would make much difference.’

The Nigeria international is on loan at Galatasaray but will return to Napoli at the end of the season and become available for a €75m release clause.

Juventus director Cristiano Giuntoli brought Osimhen to Napoli in 2020, and reports in Italy suggest he’ll try to sign the striker again next summer, especially if Dusan Vlahovic leaves for a high transfer fee.

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 “At the end of the season, everyone will have to make assessments, starting with Juventus, who must decide what kind of striker they want to rely on,” ex-Juventus striker Toni told Gazzetta.

 “Osimhen offers more depth than Vlahovic but perhaps links the play even less than Dusan. So, I’m unsure if it would make much difference for Thiago Motta.”

Juventus now look set to break the bank for Victor Osimhen in the summer.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Juventus sports director Cristiano Guintoli, who signed Osimhen for Napoli five years ago, will push for the striker’s signature in the summer after he also tried to get him in the January transfer window.

Juventus have been banking on a big transfer of striker Dusan Vlahovic and this may now happen in the summer  to give room for Osimhen’s arrival.

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Guintoli will then have to sit down with Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis to negotiate just how much Juventus will have to pay outside the release clause of 75 Million Euros reserved for clubs outside Italy. This has been described as “a difficult operation for many reasons” for Juventus.

Meanwhile, Galatasaray will take Alvaro Morata on loan from AC Milan with experts suggesting that the much-traveled striker is the direct replacement for Victor Osimhen, when his loan transfer runs out in the summer. Napoli have rejected a 65 Million Euros from Galatasaray to make Osimhen’s transfer permanent.

Emerging reports are that Morata transfer to Galatasaray is very much on track as Milan and Gala have now verbally agreed on all terms of the move. It will be an initial loan with option to extend by one year and buy clause is included. Documents are being checked and then Morata will fly to Istanbul to complete the transfer.

Napoli  have  reportedly rejected  a staggering  €65 million (about ₦105 billion) from Galatasaray as the Turkish  giants made a bold move to secure Victor Osimhen’s services permanently.

However, Napoli’s president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, has politely declined the proposal, preferring to wait until the summer transfer window.

According to Corriere dello Sport , the Turkish club’s offer falls €10 million short of Osimhen’s release clause, which is currently set at €75 million and active for the January transfer window. Galatasaray’s attempt to negotiate a lower price was anticipated, given Osimhen’s expressed desire to complete the season in Istanbul.

De Laurentiis’ decision to wait is strategic. At 26 years old, Osimhen is in his prime, consistently delivering impressive performances. The Napoli president expects to receive the full €75 million in the summer, having already reduced the clause from €120 million before loaning the player to Turkey.

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Interestingly, in January, only Galatasaray had the option to purchase Osimhen for €75 million, with his consent. Other interested clubs would have had to invest €81 million, with €6 million going to Galatasaray as compensation. From June onwards, the €75 million valuation will apply to all clubs.

Napoli have also protected their interests by including an option to extend Osimhen’s contract from 2026 to 2027, giving them additional leverage in future negotiations.

Osimhen’s future is likely to dominate the summer transfer window, representing a significant potential windfall for Napoli. The club invested heavily last summer, spending over €150 million on new signings without Champions League revenue. They had previously turned down a staggering €220 million offer from PSG for both Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia.

While Kvaratskhelia was sold for €70 million in early January, Napoli aims to secure the full €75 million release clause for Osimhen. This clause is exclusively valid for foreign clubs, meaning any Italian teams interested would need to negotiate directly with Napoli.

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen scored the solitary goal for Galatasaray in their 1-0 win over Konyaspor at the Rams Park on Saturday.

Osimhen has been in fine form for Galatasaray in recent weeks, scoring two crucial goals in his last two games. Once again, he led the line for the Turkish kings when they welcomed Konyaspor to Rams Park for their 21st Super Lig game of the campaign.

Galatasaray dominated the game from the blast of the whistle. Osimhen had his first big chance of the game in the 12th minute when he climbed high to meet a cross in the box. Unfortunately for him, his header was inaccurate and just drifted wide.

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The Super Eagles star was a menace to the Konyaspor defenders, and he eventually won a penalty in the 20th minute after forcing a foul from Ismael Jakobs in the box. Osimhen took charge of the responsibility and converted calmly to make it 1-0 to Galatasaray.

Osimhen thought he had scored a second in the 54th minute, but his strike was ruled out for offside. He had another opportunity in the 62nd minute, but his strike was saved by the goalkeeper.

Osimhen played the entire 90 minutes, and he had six goal attempts but was only able to convert one. It eventually ended 1-0 in Galatasaray’s favour after 90 minutes.

In the bid to strengthen their  attacking options before the end of the January Window, Arsenal are reportedly monitoring Brentford star Yoane Wissa whom it considers cheaper, than splashing €75 million on Nigeria international striker, Victor Osimhen.

According to former Manchester United and Blackburn chief scout, Mick Brown, who has extensive connections within the football industry, Wissa is seen as a potentially “cheaper” alternative to high-profile targets like Osimhen.

The Gunners are in the market for another forward following an injury crisis that has sidelined Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, and Ethan Nwaneri.

Brown revealed in October that Arsenal was planning to sign a new striker in January, and has since been linked with Osimhen, Alexander Isak, and Viktor Gyokeres.

Now, Wissa has emerged as a name being considered behind the scenes at the Emirates, and Arsenal might act before the February 3 deadline.

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Wissa recently became Brentford’s all-time top Premier League goal scorer, netting 11 times in 19 league games this season, which has attracted significant interest.

Brown emphasized that Wissa’s consistency and work ethic make him an appealing option for Arsenal.

 “Arsenal has been looking at several strikers,” he said. “In the past, the club has often leaned toward the cheaper option. When it’s linked with players like Osimhen and Gyokeres, those transfers would require substantial financial outlay.”

Super Eagles attacker, Victor Osimhen scored his fourth goal of the Europa League but his Turkish Super Lig side, Galatasaray faltered in their bid to qualify for the next round of the Europa League after they were held to a 3-3 draw at home by Dynamo Kiev.

Osimhen who played his 19^th  game of the season in all competitions notched his fourth goal in European second tier club competition in the 53rd minute from the penalty spot to put Galatasaray 3-1 up but Dynamo Kiev fought back gamely to secure their first point- a draw in the competition this term.

The Nigerian was booked in the 84^th  minute for his second of the season in the competition.

He has scored 15 goals with five assists from just 19 games to continue his electrifying start to the season.

But Galatasaray may miss out on automatic ticket to the Round of 16 as they are currently with 13 points from seven games unless they defeat Ajax  away next week Thursday to stand a chance.

In a related development, Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho has reportedly agreed to join Napoli, and according to Il Mattino, the Partenopei have offered a discount on Osimhen to Manchester United to lower their asking price for the Argentinean.

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Sky Sport Italia and Il Mattino claimed that Garnacho has reached an agreement with Napoli.

According to the Naples-based newspaper, the Argentinean has told Manchester United that he only wants to move to the Stadio Maradona this month.

Manchester United directors are expected to meet Napoli representatives, but there is still a substantial gap between Napoli’s offer and the Red Devils’ demands.

Manchester United’s asking price is still around €80m, while Napoli have offered €50m and won’t bid more than €60m.

According to Il Mattino, Napoli are open to giving Manchester United a discount on Osimhen for next summer.

Nigerian forward will be available for a €75m clause after a loan spell at Galatasaray, but Napoli will be happy to accept a lower offer from Old Trafford if United lower the asking price for Garnacho.

La Repubblica reported earlier this month that Osimhen had rejected a January move to Manchester United and opted to remain at Galatasaray until the end of the season.

Arsenal have turned their attention to signing Napoli superstar Victor Osimhen this month, sources have told Football Insider.

The Gunners are exploring the market for a late-window striker signing after losing Gabriel Jesus to injury for the rest of the season.

Sources have said that Arsenal are exploring a deal for Osimhen, who is on a season-long loan at Galatasaray, and have made contact over what would be a sensational late-deal.

The Premier League club’s interest is only at the early stages and it is not known if a transfer for the prolific forward will be possible in the next fortnight.

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Osimhen has been thriving on loan at Galatasaray after falling out of favour at Napoli. The Nigerian striker has scored 14 goals and provided six assists in just 18 appearances this season, showcasing his quality.

This development follows reports from Football Insider in December, revealing that Arsenal are monitoring Osimhen for a potential transfer.

Injuries are plaguing their attack, including Bukayo Saka and the long-term absence of Jesus. Fans are urging the club to sign a striker in the January transfer window following these injuries.

Currently, Kai Havertz is the only striker available to Mikel Arteta. However, he is struggling for form, having failed to score in his last three matches.

Concerns are growing over the right-wing position, as Raheem Sterling remains the only fit option in that role.

Arteta’s not alone in his admiration of the ‘best striker in the world’. Manchester United were also eyeing him amid a lack of firepower at Old Trafford.

Osimhen has reportedly snubbed a move to United, which is good news for the North Londoners. He has a reported £75 million release clause, but his untenable situation with Napoli could lead to that fee being lowered in negotiations.

Whether a move for the striker will proceed remains uncertain, given his impressive season in Turkey.

Osimhen Stats-Turkish Super Lig 2024-25

Appearances-14

Goals-11

Expected Goals (xG)-10.72

Scoring Frequency-93min

Goals Per Game-0.8

Shots Per Game-4.4

Successful Dribbles-0.5 (54%)

Ground Duels Won-2.1 (46%)

Aerial Duels Won-2.4 (59%)

*All statistics courtesy of SofaScore – as of 19/01/2025.

Victor Osimhen has declared his full focus now is to achieve great things with Galatasaray this season.

Galatasaray are nine points clear at the top of the Turkish Super Lig as they stay on course for a third straight championship.

They are also set to reach the knockout rounds of the UEFA Europa League.

Even amid continued speculations over his future, Osimhen has again stated his focus remains on the Istanbul giants.

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“I am focused on this team,” Osimhen told BeIN Sports

“We have certain goals. We are taking decisive steps towards these goals.

“I believe we will achieve great things.”

He further said it has been easy to adapt to a different life and football in Turkey because of the confidence the team have in him.  “When I joined the team everyone welcomed me very well. My coach and my friends showed their confidence in me, it was easy to adapt.”