Galatasaray are mapping out plans to sign Victor Osimhen on a permanent basis, contrary to reports that the Napoli loanee could leave the club during the winter transfer window.
Their deputy chairman Ibrahim Hatipoğlu has ruled out the striker’s exit in the winter, adding that plans are underway to keep him beyond this season.
Turkish outlet NTVSpor quoted Hatipoğlu as rubbishing such claims, maintaining that the striker is happy at the club.
He said, “Osimhen’s leaving in January is out of the question.
“In fact, we are making plans to have Osimhen play next season as well. Osimhen is a Galatasaray player until June. Discussing this is aimed at changing the agenda and spoiling the pleasure of watching Osimhen. The player shows how devoted he is to Galatasaray in every match.
“A person plays where he is happy. He has a contract with us until the end of the season. He is very happy to have come to Galatasaray. We should think about how he will be together with Osimhen in the following seasons. There is no need to discuss whether he will leave during the break.”
Osimhen joined Galatasaray on a loan deal from Napoli during the last hours of the summer window, putting an end to his protracted summer transfer saga.
The former Sporting Charleroi player transfer and eventual departure from Italy were one of the most talked about incidents at the time, having requested to leave Napoli despite penning a new contract in December 2023.
Despite helping Napoli to their first Scudetto in over three decades two seasons ago with 26 goals, which earned him the Serie A top scorer’s award, Osimhen fell out with some fans of the club during last season, pushing the 25-year-old towards the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium’s exit.
The relationship between both parties had speedily gone sour when the Nigerian requested to leave the club and was subsequently left out of their pre-season, and their first three Serie A matches of the new season, with new manager Antonio Conte reiterating the reigning African Player of the Year was not in their plans.
While the transfer window is closed, Osimhen’s future continues to make the news, with several clubs planning to capture the Nigerians at the next opportunity.
There have been several reports about certain clauses in Osimhen’s contract with Galatasaray, which allow him to seek a move to any top European club in January on a permanent deal.
Despite having his release clause reduced to a reported €75m, keeping Osimhen beyond the current season could prove to be a huge task for Galatasaray, with Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus, and Chelsea still interested in the striker.
Osimhen has provided two assists in as many games for Galatasaray and hopes to get his first goal for the club when they take on PAOK in a Europa League game on Wednesday.
Credit: punchng.com
