Galatasaray increase bid for Victor Osimhen and meet €75m asking price for Napoli striker but there's still one problem

According to Footmercato,Conte prefers to place his faith in Romelu Lukaku as his primary striker and is believed to be lining up Darwin Núñez as his secondary choice. With Osimhen deemed surplus to tactical requirements, Napoli are not just open to selling him, they see it as essential to move him on.

Galatasaray, intent on bringing back their star striker from last season, have expressed their readiness to match the €75 million (£65m/$88m) clause. However, the Turkish side proposed paying the amount in staggered installments, a condition that Napoli has flatly refused. The Naples club insists on receiving the full sum upfront, backed by bank guarantees if a deal is to be finalized. Complicating matters further, Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal is reportedly ready to meet Napoli’s demands in one go, potentially putting pressure on Galatasaray to revise their offer quickly if they hope to win the race.

Due to terms renegotiated in his last contract renewal, Osimhen is set to earn €24m (£21m/$28m) net in the upcoming season if he stays. That figure is seen as excessive by Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis, particularly for a player who no longer fits into the club’s long-term plans. With Osimhen’s contract running until 2026, this summer presents a strategic window for Napoli to secure a substantial transfer fee before his value potentially declines or he leaves on a free transfer in the summer of 2026.

Osimhen’s exceptional 2024/25 season with Galatasaray only reinforces the growing demand for his signature. The Nigerian striker found the net 26 times and delivered 5 assists across 30 league appearances, playing a vital role in helping Galatasaray secure their 25th Turkish Super Lig title.

Sources close to Osimhen suggest that he has settled well in Istanbul and would prefer to continue his career in Turkey rather than return to Napoli. The striker has reportedly shown reluctance to join the Italian side’s pre-season camp, scheduled to start on July 15, underscoring his desire to avoid a return to a club where he no longer feels wanted.

Despite the initial setback, Galatasaray are not backing down. They are said to have offered Osimhen a lucrative annual salary of €16m (£14m/$19m) to persuade him to make the switch permanent. For Napoli, offloading Osimhen under the right terms would provide much-needed financial relief and clear the path for Conte’s rebuild.