Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen linked with shock move to Turkey after failed Chelsea transfer

Napoli striker Victor Osimhen (Photo Credit: Imago)

Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen linked with shock move to Turkey after failed Chelsea transfer

Ayoola Kelechi 15:13 - 02.09.2024

Napoli striker Victor Osimhen's career has been handed a promising lifeline with interest from Turkey

Victor Osimhen might get some reprieve from the transfer window after all after becoming a target for Turkish giants Galatasaray.

Osimhen’s Napoli nightmare after failed summer transfers

The Nigerian striker was expected to make a move from Napoli this summer, as he was the toast of the town after leading the Partenopei to their first Scudetto in 33 years in 2023.

Osimhen and his family with the Serie A title | Imago
Osimhen and his family with the Serie A title | Imago Osimhen and his family with the Serie A title | Imago

Osimhen was linked to moves to Chelsea, Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, and Al Ahli in Saudi Arabia, but none of the clubs were able to finalise a deal for Osimehn before the transfer window ran out.

Chelsea and Al Ahli came closest to signing Osimhen after lodging deadline day bids, but they were unable to agree a deal with the player and club respectively.

Victor Osimhen to Chelsea did not happen
Victor Osimhen to Chelsea did not happen Victor Osimhen to Chelsea did not happen

Unfortunately, the failure to secure a move away from Napoli puts Osimhen in a precarious position, with the Nigerian striker risking six months without playing after being excluded from the Partenopei’s squad for the season.

Galatasaray to the rescue

With Osimhen facing a possible stall in his career, the Nigerian striker has been offered an escape route as Galatasaray have reportedly expressed interest.

According to transfer specialist Gianluca DiMarzio, the reigning Turkish Super Lig champions have sent a delegation to Naples to negotiate with Napoli and Osimhen over a possible loan switch this summer.

Napoli star Victor Osimhen || Imago

Other reports in Italy claim that Osimhen would be open to the move to save his career from hitting a brick wall after Napoli coach Antonio Conte made it clear that he was not in the club’s immediate plans.

How can Galatasaray sign Osimhen outside the transfer window?

Despite the transfer window being closed across many of Europe’s top leagues, including the Premier League, Serie A, LaLiga, and Bundesliga, other countries still have their windows open to allow last-minute deals to pull through.

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The transfer windows in Portugal and the Netherlands, for example, close on September second, two days after the general European window, while Belgium and Poland close their window on September sixth, and the Czech Republic leaves its window open until September eighth.

Turkey’s transfer window will be one of the last to close in Europe as their transfer season does not end until September 13, allowing Osimhen plenty of time to negotiate a move to Galatasaray.