Osimhen Joins Galatasaray in €75m Deal Featuring Serie A Return Ban

Victor Osimhen’s future has finally been resolved, with Napoli and Galatasaray agreeing on a €75 million transfer that includes a clause preventing the striker from returning to Italy’s top flight until 2027.

As reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport, the protracted negotiations between the two clubs have ended, with Galatasaray set to pay €40 million upfront. The remaining €35 million will be transferred in installments by 2026.

Crucially, the agreement contains a unique provision dubbed the “anti-Italy clause” that would force the Turkish side to pay double the transfer fee should Osimhen move to a Serie A club before 2027. Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis reportedly insisted on this measure to avoid strengthening a domestic rival.

The deal brings closure to a turbulent period following Napoli’s 2023 Serie A triumph, where Osimhen played a central role in ending the club’s decades-long title drought. However, tensions began to rise shortly after the championship celebrations, as interest in the Nigerian international mounted.

Osimhen eventually joined Galatasaray on loan, where he excelled in the Turkish Super Lig, scoring an impressive 37 goals in 41 matches. Galatasaray made no secret of their intention to sign him permanently, but Napoli’s valuation and insistence on financial guarantees complicated the process for months.

Recent attempts by Paris Saint-Germain to derail the move added further drama. According to L’Équipe, PSG’s sporting director Luis Campos who previously signed Osimhen at Lille engaged directly with the player in hopes of luring him to Paris.

Despite Osimhen’s release clause expiring earlier this month, Napoli held firm on their €75 million asking price, demanding nearly €50 million upfront. Galatasaray eventually agreed to meet the terms, providing a formal letter of credit to guarantee full payment, although administrative hurdles nearly delayed the final announcement.

The transfer was effectively sealed when Napoli omitted Osimhen from their pre-season squad heading to Dimaro Folgarida. The striker was among six players left out by new head coach Antonio Conte, signalling the club’s readiness to move on from their former talisman.