Victor Osimhen’s transfer is turning into a season-long drama.
The Nigerian striker, currently on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli, is stuck in a tug-of-war involving big clubs, even bigger money, and a string of off-pitch issues.
The storyline has had many twists, from rejected deals to silent standoffs, with fans, clubs, and agents all jostling for control.
This is a detailed breakdown of where things stand and how we got here.
A timeline of the transfer saga
Osimhen is officially contracted to Napoli until June 2026. But a loan move to Galatasaray in September 2024 changed the game plan. Since then, he’s been courted by several clubs.
He shocked many by turning down a mega-deal from Al-Hilal, who had agreed with Napoli on a €75 million fee and offered Osimhen a four-year deal worth €35 million a year.
The total package, excluding bonuses, was around €195 million.
But Osimhen waved it off, choosing to stay in European football, with Serie A or the Premier League in his sights.
Juventus look keen but are likely to stall at the €120–130 million release clause.
Meanwhile, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United are circling, but none have made a final move yet.
Money is slowing things down. Osimhen’s salary expectations are steep, with figures ranging from €13 million per year to €300,000 a week.
ALSO READ:
- 2025 AFCON Qualifiers: Super Eagles soar following entertaining win over Benin Republic
- ‘Piece of filth’ – Osimhen hits back at Kvaratskhelia’s agent over Saudi Arabia transfer comments
- Osimhen wins Globe Soccer award
- Boniface, Osimhen, 23 others in Super Eagles squad to face Saudi Arabia, Mozambique
Al-Hilal’s deal only missed Napoli’s valuation by €5 million, showing how close these negotiations are.
Saudi clubs are ready to spend, but European clubs are more careful, especially with UEFA’s financial rules in play.
Chelsea and Arsenal, for instance, have cooled their interest for now, wary of upsetting their wage structures.
Off-the-pitch controversies and character assessments
Osimhen’s off-field moments have raised eyebrows. He’s had a rocky time at Napoli, especially after a racist TikTok video by the club mocked his penalty miss.
Napoli’s social media manager was sacked, but the damage to Osimhen’s image lingered. Some clubs now see him as high-risk.
On top of that, online circles have labeled him “toxic,” pointing to spats with family, national team drama, and playing through injury during AFCON.
Staying in Nigeria without confirming his next move also sparked talk of indecision and lack of urgency.
Roberto Calenda, Osimhen’s agent, is in the spotlight too. Fans blame him for the messy negotiations, saying he’s mishandling his client’s career.
Whether that’s true or not is up for debate. The rejected Al-Hilal deal might have been a calculated risk to attract top European clubs—or it may have been a blunder.
Either way, the pattern of rumored deals falling apart points to poor coordination, but it’s unclear if Calenda is solely at fault.
Napoli’s position and market realities
Napoli president De Laurentiis has admitted it’s tough holding on to Osimhen with clubs like PSG, Chelsea, and Man City sniffing around.
He’s holding firm on the release clause, which makes sense in a market where business often trumps loyalty.
The past week has been a blur. On June 4, Arsenal and United showed interest. By June 5, Al-Hilal’s offer was reportedly accepted.
The next day, Osimhen seemed ready to sign. On June 7, he was spotted in Paris for medicals. Then, on June 9, he said no.
Now, Juventus is back in the frame. In football, the game isn’t over till the whistle blows.
