Italian football’s Old Lady, Juventus, are reportedly plotting an audacious move that could see Victor Osimhen and Napoli’s coach, Antonio Conte, joining Juventus in the summer.
Incidentally, it was at the instance of Conte that Osimhen was farmed out on loan to Galatasaray where he has been in sensational scoring to land the red & gold a Turkish double.
But according to Corriere dello Sport, Juventus are poised to push hard to sign Osimhen from Napoli, with the Serie A giants ready to make a “maximum” bid for the Nigeria international striker.
Juve do not have the luxury of being able to trigger the striker’s release clause, which is worth €75 million. This is only valid for foreign clubs, such as Arsenal, Chelsea or Manchester United.
As such, the Bianconeri are ready to offer up to €85m. It is stated that €75m of this will be an upfront fee with €10m following as bonuses.
Incidentally, Osimhen isn’t the only Napoli star that Juventus want; they also want head coach Antonio Conte in their dugout next season, according to Alfredo Pedulla.
Juve will hold an internal meeting at the beginning of June to decide whether to persist with Tudor or target Conte.
The Turin club are willing to push for both the coach and the player, with Max Allegri likeliest to replace the former Chelsea and Tottenham boss at Napoli should he depart.
Galatasaray fans are preparing an extraordinary show of affection for Super Eagles’ Victor Osimhen as the club continues its bid to convince the Nigerian striker to stay in Turkey, Soccernet.ng reports.
During their last 2024-25 Super Lig match against İstanbul Başakşehir at the Ali Sami Yen Rams Park, the sky above the stadium will be lit up with a stunning drone display, forming a giant portrait of the Napoli-owned forward.
According to Turkish journalist Osman Şenher, an impressive 5,000 drones will be used to draw Osimhen’s image during the game, while fans in the stands will unveil a massive choreography as part of the grand gesture.
This initiative comes as part of the widely trending #StayWithUsOsimhen campaign that has taken over Turkish social media in recent weeks.
Napoli have rejected an offer for Victor Osimhen from Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal, while AC Milan are likely to join fellow Italian club Juventus in the chase to sign the Super Eagles striker this summer.
Transfer Expert Matteo Marrato disclosed on Fabrizio Romano’s YouTube Channel that Al Hilal made a proposal to both Napoli and the player, but it fell short of the 75 Million Euros release clause imposed by the Italian club. Napoli said a firm no to the Saudis.
In the case of Milan, last summer they tried even albeit timidly, to sign Osimhen. According to Transfer Expert Emanuele Cammaroto, Milan are likely to come back for the striker after another failed season.
It is already well known that Osimhen is the top transfer target of Juventus, who will be willing to pay as much as 90 Million Euros, particularly if they qualify for the UEFA Champions League, as this guarantees them an additional 60 Million Euros.
Nigerian international Victor Osimhen is enjoying the good life in Turkey with Galatasaray on and off the pitch, and he couldn’t keep it to himself.
A sharp contrast from the difficult time in Napoli, the leggy attacker has been speaking about his happy mood since joining Galatasaray on one-year loan deal in the summer transfer window last year.
It has also reflected on the field with the numbers climbing after every match. In 37 appearances for Galatasaray this season, Osimhen has scored 33 goals and assisted eight. He has surpassed his previous best goal-scoring performance in a single season.
Memorable season
“This season is a memory that I will remember for the rest of my life. Apart from scoring goals and assists, I like to help the team. Going forward, I want to get the ball, help the midfield, and do my best for the team.
“For me, the team comes first. When I convert opportunities into goals, it makes me happy. It’s not about Victor Osimhen, it’s about the team. Roland is also very important. We can say the same thing about Mario, Terceira and Sanchez.”
Love unlimited
Osimhen is filled with unlimited love for fans and management of the club, informing that he is simply returning the love showed to him.
“It is a very good feeling. It’s nice that they’re inspired by watching me, that they’re wearing masks. I thank God. These were things I didn’t see before I came to Galatasaray. The fact that everyone has so much love and shows it, the children shouting at the exit of the tunnel. And I will continue to make them proud. I want the team to win, I don’t score goals. I want to continue the way they know me. If I can inspire my teammates’ children, it makes me very happy. We have the quality to win every game.”
Living in the present
Despite the transfer speculation surrounding him, the Super Eagles forward is prioritizing the present rather than engaging with the circulating news, and he assured that he would consistently bring pride to the club.
“There are always rumors about me, of course. But I prefer to live in the moment. I’m enjoying myself right now. I’m enjoying the club and my life here at the same time. The fans have also been incredibly supportive; all the stakeholders in Galatasaray have helped me since the first day. They have always been there for me, not only for me, but also for my friends and family. Now I will fight for the fifth star with my team and a decision will be made at the end of the season on what is best for everyone. Galatasaray will forever be in my heart.”
“The focus is on us right now. We have a responsibility as a team. We want to win. We have the quality to win every game. It is not easy; we will face very important opponents. We need to prepare to overcome these opponents and lift this trophy at the end of the season, we just have to fight. When we go out on the field, we have to give everything. At the end of the season, I think we have the advantage, but as I said, it won’t be easy.”
Record Breaker
Osimhen and his fans are also upbeat in celebration of his recent achievement; breaking his career goal record at Galatasaray after scoring a brace in the 4-1 drubbing of Sivasspor.
He said: “It was important to break my record in my first season. I’m in one of the most important clubs in the world. It is the biggest club in Turkey. I would like to thank my family and friends for helping me. I would like to thank the technical team and the staff of the club. They never left me alone.”
A season to remember
In the aftermath of Galatasaray 4-1 victory over Sivasspor Osimhen said: “We rushed a little bit in the first half, we really wanted to show ourselves, how good we are… We quickly started to play forward. We needed to have a little more possession of the ball. We knew our opponent, a tough opponent and something that suited their style of play; in fact, it was to their advantage if we rushed. In the second half, we played with more patience. I’m also happy with my goal contribution. We need to build on that. We need to build on that momentum.
“I want to start by congratulating the team. I would also like to thank our fans. They had a very important role for us since the beginning of the season. We knew that every game was a final and we had to convert chances into goals. It is important to score 2-3 goals and finish the match, but you have to want more. We had to defend our lives tooth and nail. We got a good result. This win was very important on the way to the fifth star. We knew our opponent and we needed to build on the momentum we had and keep going.”
Napoli offer Nigerian ace 90 million euros to Juventus
Nigeria International striker Victor Osimhen scored a stunning brace last night as he helped Galatasaray to win the Turkish Cup following a 3-0 flourish over Trabzonspor complete with another Nigerian, Anthony Nwakaeme.
Galatasaray bidding for a domestic club, showed their intent as early as the fifth minute when Baris Alper Yılmaz grabbed the curtain raiser at the Gaziantep Stadium.
It then became a ding dong affair with Trabzonspor charging for the equaliser but it was Galatasaray that came back smoking after the interval as Osimhen grabbed his brace in the 46th and 63rd minute of the lively encounter.
Result meant Osimhen has clinched his first Turkish honour while on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli.
Incidentally, Galatasaray are on the verge of clinching their 25th Turkish Super Lig championship after they secured a 2-0 away win Trabzonspor (again) last Saturday.
Osimhen’s Galatasaray are currently on top of the rack with an impressive 86 points with their closest challenger, Fenerbahce on 78 points with five more matches to go in the on-going campaign.
Osimhen has been in a rich vein of form since he moved to Galatasaray and he took his goal tally to an astonishing 35 goals in 39 appearances in all competition following last night’s success in the Turkish Cup.
In a related development, there are fresh claims that Napoli would not do Juventus any favour in their pursuit of the Nigeria International striker.
According to Tuttojuve as per Football Transfers, Napoli are reluctant to lose Osimhen to a direct rival, and they are reportedly demanding a fee of 90 million euros.
This is even though Osimhen’s contract is set to expire in the summer of 2026.
Napoli’s firm position, according to the Italian news outlet, has complicated Juventus’ pursuit. While foreign clubs are believed to be able to activate a release clause of 75 million euros, the club have made it clear they will not offer Juventus any such concession.
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen delivered a sensational performance, scoring twice to lead Galatasaray to a commanding 3-0 victory over Trabzonspor in the Turkish Cup final at Gaziantep Stadium.
The win secured Galatasaray’s 19th Turkish Cup title and their first since 2019.
Osimhen has been instrumental throughout Galatasaray’s cup run, bagging a brace in their 2-1 quarter-final win over Fenerbahçe and adding a goal and assist in the 5-1 semi-final rout of Konyaspor.
Facing a determined Trabzonspor side, last year’s runners-up, Galatasaray struck early through Baris Alper Yilmaz, who finished off a precise cutback from Yunus Akgün in the 5th minute.
Osimhen took center stage in the second half. He powered through a defender to double the lead, then capped a swift counter-attack with his second goal, his 35th of the season, putting the result beyond doubt.
The match also saw Osimhen face off against compatriot Anthony Nwakaeme, who was hoping to inspire Trabzonspor to glory on his return.
This triumph marks Osimhen’s first trophy with Galatasaray and the fourth of his career, adding to his U-17 World Cup, U-23 AFCON (both in 2015), and Serie A (2023) titles.
His 35-goal haul also sets a new record, surpassing Mario Jardel’s 24-year milestone to become the highest-scoring foreign player in a single season for Galatasaray.
Nigeria International striker Victor Osimhen has reportedly gave the all-clear to join Juventus, but Napoli will be far more difficult to convince, reports Football Italia.
The striker is coming to the end of his season-long loan experience with Galatasaray, which has allowed him to maintain some of that transfer value after nobody came close to the €110m asking price last summer.
The 26-year-old has a release clause in his contract worth €80m, although that will drop down to €75m over the next few months.
A Premier League or Saudi Pro League transfer was expected, especially if anyone is to match his €12m per season wage demands, but Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea are all evaluating other targets.
Tuttosport journalist Raffaele Auriemma claimed on X that there is a ‘total agreement’ between Osimhen and Juventus director Cristiano Giuntoli.
The pair know each other well, as Giuntoli was in charge of the Napoli transfer strategy when first signing the Nigerian from Lille in 2020.
However, Juventus are bitter rivals of Napoli, so President Aurelio De Laurentiis would demand more than the release clause to accept this move.
It is because Juve snatched Gonzalo Higuain years ago that Napoli started introducing details to their contracts, raising the release clause for clubs within Italy.
This report does come just hours after Giuntoli dropped the biggest hint yet that Dusan Vlahovic will be sold this summer.
“We have a very good rapport with the player and his agent. We will sit down at the end of the season to discuss and evaluate whether to continue together or to take separate paths.”
Top Serie A club, Juventus, have submitted an official bid for Victor Osimhen, just as it is being reported that Napoli will be more open to sell the striker to Saudi Arabia rather than to a local rival, according to ScoreNigeria.com.ng.
According to Corriere dello Sport, Juventus have tendered a bid of 85 Million Euros for the Super Eagles striker as the 75 Million Euros release clause stipulated by Napoli is only applicable for clubs outside Italy.
This comes at a time when the newspaper claims that Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis is more desirous to sell Osimhen to a club in Saudi Arabia.
Riyadh-based Al Hilal will pay the striker between 30 and 35 Million Euros annually, which eclipses his 12 million euros-a-year salary.
Will Osimhen go for the cash or his close relationship with the Juventus sports director Guintoli, who signed him for Napoli from Lille and now wants to join him in Turin?
Nigerian International Victor Osimhen and his Club, Galatasaray edged closer to a Turkish domestic double on Saturday as they defeated Trabzonspor 2-0 away in the Turkish League.
With three matches left to play, Galatasaray will confirm their League title retention if they defeat 13th placed Kayserispur next weekend in front of their vociferous home fans.
But before that, they could also lay their hands on another silverware, the Turkish Cup as they face today’s opponents, Trabzonspor again on Wednesday in the final of the Turkish Cup.
Victory in that game and victory next Sunday will ensure that the on loan Nigerian International and his Club will get his hands on two trophies same week.
With an eight points lead ahead of second placed Fenerbahce, a win for Galatasaray next weekend will put the League out of reach for their rivals.
Osimhen was on for 90 minutes in the 2-0 win today and was a torn in the flesh of the opponents.
Even though he did not get on the score sheet, he missed a few chances as Spanish International, Morata and defender Bardacki scored to put the club just a match away from securing another league trophy.
Galatasaray’s next league opponents, Kayserispur suffered a 4-1 drubbing in the reverse fixture with Osimhen scoring two goals in that tie.
It will be a well deserved League victory for Osimhen who endured humiliating treatment from his parent club, Napoli at the start of the season before Galatasaray stepped in to offer him a season long loan life line.
He is currently leading the League goals chart with 24 goals going into the remaining three games of the season.
With 33 goals in all competitions this season so far, the in form Osimhen is set to be involved in another bidding war from top European clubs who are desperate for his signature to bolster their teams for next season.
Manchester United appear to be leading the pack this season with the club said to be ready to offer in excess of 60 million Euros to Napoli to secure the services of the prolific Nigerian striker.
Latest reports claimed that Juventus are preparing a hefty offer in the region of €85m to convince Napoli to sell them Victor Osimhen in the summer transfer window, but the Bianconeri still have an uphill battle if they are to fend off interest from a number of different clubs, particularly Al-Hilal.
Osimhen is currently out on loan with Galatasaray after a permanent move away from Napoli collapsed in spectacular fashion at the end of the summer transfer window.
Since then, the Nigeria international has gone on to net 33 goals in 37 matches across all competitions, including 24 goals and five assists from 27 league appearances.
He is due to return to Napoli in the summer and is expected to be sold, with a €75m release clause in his contract that will become active this summer.
The €75m release clause in Osimhen’s contract is only valid for teams outside Italy, which is why Juventus are prepared to offer more than the value release clause in an attempt to convince Napoli to send him to Turin.
However, there are still a number of clubs in Europe and Asia that are interested in signing Osimhen: Manchester United and Chelsea among them.
However, according to reports from Corriere dello Sport, Al-Hilal are able to match Osimhen’s €75m release clause this summer, and are also able to offer what has been described as a ‘pharaonic’ contract offer, potentially worth up to €35m per season in wages, which Juventus and several other clubs will be unable to match.
It is understood that the Nigerian earns around €11m per season in wages on his current contract.
