By Emeka Blast 
Victor Osimhen Set for Official Presentation as Galatasaray’s Record Deal
Nigerian football superstar Victor Osimhen is poised to be unveiled as a permanent Galatasaray player this Saturday, August 2, 2025, in a historic ceremony at RAMS Park, Istanbul, following the completion of a record-breaking €75 million ($88 million) transfer from Napoli. The 26-year-old striker, who dazzled during a 2024-25 loan spell with the Turkish giants, scoring 37 goals in 41 appearances, will arrive in Istanbul today, Wednesday, July 30, to finalize the deal, accompanied by Galatasaray vice president Abdullah Kavukcu. The move, the most expensive in Turkish Süper Lig history, has ignited fervor among fans, with thousands expected to mob Istanbul Airport for a “historic welcome” and the club projecting €5 million (₦8.5 billion) in revenue from ticket and merchandise sales at the unveiling.
Osimhen’s permanent transfer, confirmed by multiple sources including Daily Sabah and Football Italia, follows weeks of intense negotiations. Galatasaray will pay Napoli €40 million upfront and €35 million in installments by the end of 2026, with up to €5 million in performance-based bonuses tied to Osimhen’s goals and the club’s domestic and European success. Napoli secured a 10% sell-on clause for any future transfer profit and an “anti-Serie A” clause barring Osimhen from joining another Italian club until July 2027, a rare condition reflecting Napoli’s intent to protect their domestic interests. Osimhen’s four-year contract, running through 2029, will see him earn €16-18 million annually, making him one of the highest-paid players in the Süper Lig.
The Nigerian striker’s journey to Galatasaray caps a dramatic saga. After leading Napoli to their first Serie A title in 33 years in 2022-23 with 26 goals, Osimhen fell out with the club in 2024, prompting a loan to Galatasaray. His stellar performance, including a record-breaking 36 goals by a foreign player in a single Turkish season, won over fans and prompted the club to smash the Süper Lig transfer record, previously set at €19.5 million for Youssef En-Nesyri’s move to Fenerbahçe. Osimhen rejected a €160 million offer from Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal and interest from Premier League giants like Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Arsenal, citing his bond with Galatasaray’s passionate fans and coach Okan Buruk’s tactical fit.
The unveiling, planned before Galatasaray’s pre-season friendly against Lazio, will also feature former Bayern Munich winger Leroy Sané, signaling the club’s ambition to dominate the Süper Lig and make a deep run in the UEFA Champions League. Fans are tracking Osimhen’s flight live via Galatasaray’s social media, with @CimbomNews tweeting, “Osimhen’s coming home! RAMS Park will erupt for our king!” The club anticipates a sold-out stadium, with tickets starting at 1,300 Turkish Lira (₦49,000), and has adjusted its squad to meet Turkish Football Federation foreign player quotas, potentially loaning out players like Victor Nelsson and Elias Jelert.
Osimhen, the 2023 African Footballer of the Year, reflected on his journey in an Instablog interview on X, saying, “Nothing is handed to you on a silver platter. You have to fight for it.” His move has drawn praise from Nigerian football legends, with Peter Odemwingie telling BBC Sport, “Victor is a leader. Galatasaray’s passionate fans suit him perfectly.” However, some X users, like @NaijaGist, questioned the move, posting, “Osimhen snubbed Premier League for Turkey? Bold or risky?” Others, like @EagleEyeNG, celebrated, “Victor’s about to make history in Istanbul!”
The transfer underscores Galatasaray’s growing European clout, but challenges remain, including financial constraints and Napoli’s demand for bank guarantees, expected to be finalized today. Osimhen’s arrival, alongside Sané, positions Galatasaray as a powerhouse, but the pressure is on to deliver titles and justify the hefty investment.
