*Ready to pay the €75million release clause spread over three years

Kunle Adewale

Reports from Naples have indicated that Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen, is now close to realizing his dream of a permanent move to Galatasaray as the Super Lig reigning champions have agreed to pay the €75 million release clause on the Nigerian contract at Napoli.

According to Tutto Napoli, Galatasaray officials in the final stages of negotiations with Napoli over a permanent transfer of Osimhen to the RAMS Park in Istanbul.

Galatasaray Vice President, Abdullah Kavukcu, is expected in Italy within the next few hours to lead face-to-face discussions with Napoli officials.

The top transfer source hinted that Galatasaray are now ready to pay the full €75 million release clause on Osimhen contract with Napoli although to be spread over three years at  €25 million annually.

Crucially, Osimhen now appears to have resolved any doubts about his future. The 26-year-old forward has reportedly informed Galatasaray of his desire to stay, turning down a record-breaking offer from Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal, who had tabled a jaw-dropping €40 million per year for four seasons—€160 million in total for the Nigerian.

Despite the financial lure, Osimhen is said to prioritise competing in the UEFA Champions League, and per their recent success by winning the Turkish league title, this is something Galatasaray can offer.

Earlier this week, Galatasaray submitted an initial bid of €50 million plus €5 million in add-ons, but Napoli rejected the offer, holding firm to the terms of the release clause.

However, the Turkish club returned with renewed urgency, buoyed by Osimhen’s commitment and the backing of local sponsors ready to support the financial package. Napoli  also rejected the improved €60million offer.

It is the insistence of Napoli on the payment of the full €75million release clause that made the Turkish Lig team to do this latest offer of ready to pay the entire release clause but spread over three years.

The Turkish champions have also agreed to pay the striker an annual salary of €15million with a signing-on bonus of €10million.

Osimhen had long been linked with a move to the Premier League, with Manchester United and Liverpool among his top suitors.

But neither club has made a formal offer this summer, which has allowed Galatasaray to move ahead in the race.

The player’s reported acceptance of a €16 million annual salary also shows his willingness to continue with the Turkish champions, who are planning to build their Champions League campaign around him.

Should the two clubs reach an agreement in the coming days, Osimhen’s transfer move is set to become one of the biggest in Turkish football history.

The Napoli pre-season training camp opens a week from today and Osimhen’s future will have to be resolved before then.

The release clause of the player will also expire same day and thereafter, it will be left for Napoli to decide on the transfer fee they will receive that is if they are unable to arrive at an agreeable terms before then.