Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk has confirmed that Victor Osimhen will join the Turkish champions on a permanent transfer from Napoli after weeks of intense speculation.
The deal, reportedly worth €75 million, follows a successful loan spell in Istanbul last season, where the Nigerian striker scored 37 goals and registered eight assists in 41 competitive appearances, helping Galatasaray lift the Turkish Super Cup.
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“We will complete the transfer very soon. I believe it will be finalised as soon as possible,” Buruk told Tivibu Spor, via Sports Digitale. “Victor pushed to stay. He felt a special bond here. Galatasaray fans gave him the kind of love he’d never experienced before.”
Despite Napoli preferring a more immediate financial offer from Saudi giants Al-Hilal, Osimhen was adamant about staying in Istanbul, a city where he has become a cult hero among Galatasaray supporters.
“Everyone put in a great deal of effort to secure this deal, starting from our president. But the most important part was done by the fans. They made Osimhen experience something unique,” Buruk added.
“We saw a similar outcome with Mauro Icardi’s transfer. This is becoming our identity; players come here and don’t want to leave.”
Osimhen, who still had one year remaining on his Napoli contract, is now set to become one of the most expensive signings in Turkish football history, with the payment structure and financial guarantees now in place.
