Napoli star Victor Osimhen is in talks over a shock move away after the Italian transfer window closed, it has been reported.
Interest from the Saudi Pro League and Chelsea in the 24-year-old was noted on Friday, but no deal was finalized. Al Ahli had reached an agreement with both Napoli and the player, but after a late dispute with Napoli, they chose to sign Ivan Toney for their final foreign player spot instead.
On Saturday, Fabrizio Romano reported that Napoli had excluded him from the squad, meaning he wouldn’t be included in Antonio Conte’s Serie A lineup. As a result, Osimhen, who Napoli was expected to sell over the summer, faced the possibility of not playing competitive football until January.
The Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport described the situation as ‘chaos,’ with the 2022/23 Serie A Golden Boot winner—formerly valued at £200 million by his club—finding his career at an unexpected crossroads. Napoli’s failure to qualify for European competition this season and their reportedly shaky finances have led them to urgently seek a transfer for the Nigerian star.
Now, both sides have been presented with a solution, though it’s one few might have anticipated.
Gianluca DiMarzio reports that Osimhen is in talks with Galatasaray regarding a transfer to the Turkish Super Lig champions. The Turkish club is aiming for a loan deal, hoping to pair him with former Inter Milan player Mauro Icardi in a two-striker setup.
The urgency of the move has increased due to Icardi’s injury. Galatasaray has until September 13, the deadline for the Turkish summer transfer window, to finalize the deal.
With Italy’s transfer window closing on August 30, Napoli cannot replace Osimhen. His exclusion from their squad suggests that the Serie A champions were already preparing for his departure.
