Victor Osimhen: ‘Humble’ star thriving after shock Galatasaray move

The question now is how long Osimhen will stay at Galatasaray and feel that Turkish love.

He has a 130m euro release clause at Napoli, while there are also rumours of a break clause, external in his loan at Galatasaray which would allow him to move on in January.

He continues to be linked with several major European clubs, including Tottenham, Galatasaray’s next opponents in the Europa League on Thursday. For Osimhen, this could be a chance to place himself in the early Christmas shopping window.

According to Bayazit, it is also a question of finances and squad balance for Galatasaray.

“If I was an accountant I would say, ‘don’t do it’,” he says when asked if Galatasaray will aim to keep the striker beyond his loan.

He suggests Napoli “will want 50m euros bare minimum” as a transfer fee. Galatasaray’s record signing is midfielder Gabriel Sara from Norwich last summer for 18m euros.

Bayazit also highlights the issue of TV rights in Turkish football. In the summer a new deal was struck with Bein Media for $182m a season. Before 2019-20, the Super Lig had a $500m yearly deal, but fluctuations in the Turkish lira saw the contract renegotiated, external.

“Galatasaray have Mauro Icardi, so they should spend that money on a different position to centre forward,” adds Bayazit. “One reason it was a really surprising move was that they have great strikers but no star wingers.

“Fans were very critical before Osimhen happened as there was no star winger. They are now happy, but as a puzzle piece fitting in, it doesn’t make sense.”

Unsurprisingly, Garcia Gomez kept his cards close to his chest when asked about Osimhen’s future.

“Hopefully this relationship remains,” he said. “But we must be focused on the present.”