Victor Osimhen has carved out a reputation as one of the finest strikers in world football. From his meteoric rise at Napoli to his turbulent departure, the 25-year-old Nigerian’s career has been punctuated by drama and brilliance.
However, his decision to remain at Galatasaray until the end of the summer transfer window may not be in his best interests.
Loyalty in football is often one-sided, as Osimhen’s ordeal at Napoli starkly illustrates.
The Lagos-born forward’s move to Napoli in July 2020 from Lille for a reported €73 million ($96 million) made him the most expensive African player in history. Over three seasons, he grew into a talismanic figure for the Serie A giants, scoring 76 goals in 133 appearances.
His crowning moment came during the 2022/23 season when his 31 goals in all competitions propelled Napoli to their first Scudetto in 33 years.
A bitter Napoli fallout
Yet, behind the scenes, cracks in the relationship between the player and the club began to show.
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis mishandled contract negotiations, despite Osimhen signing a lucrative extension in December 2023 worth €10 million per year, which included a €148 million release clause.
When tensions boiled over last summer, Napoli’s refusal to accept offers from Chelsea and Al-Ahli compounded Osimhen’s frustrations.
The fallout became public and acrimonious. Napoli demanded an additional €5 million beyond Al-Ahli’s €80 million bid, scuppering a potential move to the Saudi Pro League.
Adding insult to injury, the club stripped Osimhen of his iconic No. 9 jersey, handing it to Romelu Lukaku on deadline day.
With his options dwindling, Osimhen joined Turkish giants Galatasaray on a season-long loan in September. The deal, which includes a €6 million salary for the striker, has been presented as a stopgap measure.
However, Napoli’s decision to insert a break clause allowing a mid-season transfer hints at unresolved tensions.
Galatasaray’s hero must beware football's one-sided loyalty
Osimhen’s start to life in Istanbul has been electric. The striker has already racked up 12 goals and four assists in 15 appearances, reminding the world of his prolific abilities.
But staying at Galatasaray beyond January could prove detrimental for a player of his caliber.
While Galatasaray provides a platform for Osimhen to keep playing, it is hardly the stage for a forward who was recently Africa’s best player.
Osimhen’s turbulent journey at Napoli should serve as a cautionary tale. Clubs often preach loyalty but rarely reciprocate when players need support.
Despite his goals firing them to historic heights, Napoli’s actions, whether it was pricing him out of moves or freezing him out painted a different picture.
As the striker weighs his next move, he must prioritize his career trajectory over sentimental attachment to any one club or fan base.
A January exit offers a chance to return to the top echelon of football.
For Osimhen, this represents a crossroads in his career. While his time at Napoli ended on a sour note, his reputation as one of football’s elite strikers remains intact.
Now, the focus should be on finding a club that values his talent and ambitions, with the likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United, to name a few, still holding an interest.
Staying at Galatasaray until the summer might feel like the easier option, but for a player with dreams of conquering the Premier League or challenging for Champions League glory, it’s a decision that could stall his upward trajectory.
