Napoli have made it clear that Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen will not leave the club for less than €75 million, even though his release clause officially expired on Tuesday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Despite speculation that the Serie A champions might revise Osimhen’s valuation following the clause expiry, the club has chosen to stick to the original €75m asking price.
Osimhen has been on the verge of a permanent exit from Naples since last summer, following a strained relationship with the club’s hierarchy. Turkish giants Galatasaray, who had the striker on loan last season, are pushing to secure his services on a long-term basis.
Negotiations between the two clubs have been ongoing, but Napoli previously rejected several offers from Galatasaray over their inability to provide sufficient financial guarantees. However, recent reports from Italy suggest that Galatasaray have now agreed to present a letter of credit from a bank, confirming they can pay the full €75m.
According to Football Italia, while both clubs are getting closer to finalizing the deal, the process may still take a few more days due to administrative procedures.
Discussions are now centered around payment structure. Napoli are reportedly demanding an upfront payment of around €50 million, with the remaining €25 million to be settled by the end of 2026. There is, however, a possibility that the Italian side may accept a slightly lower initial payment if the total €75m is guaranteed within a year.
Talks resumed on Wednesday, with Galatasaray reaffirming their readiness to provide the necessary banking documentation to complete the transfer.
Osimhen, who turns 26 this year, is eager to return to Istanbul after a highly successful loan spell in which he helped Galatasaray clinch a domestic double—winning both the Turkish Super Lig and Turkish Cup. He scored an impressive 37 goals and provided eight assists in 41 appearances across all competitions.
The striker remains hugely popular among Galatasaray fans, with the uncertainty surrounding his permanent move prompting intense emotions. One supporter reportedly even went as far as threatening Napoli’s vice president in frustration over the delayed transfer.
This marks the second consecutive summer Osimhen has been linked with a permanent departure from Napoli, following a collapsed deal on deadline day last year.
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