Just when it seemed like a resolution was at hand, the saga around Victor Osimhen has taken another turn.
According to the latest reports, while Galatasaray have agreed to meet the €75 million release clause in the striker’s Napoli contract, the reigning Serie A champions remain unconvinced. They are seeking, in addition, a bank guarantee that the Turkish giants will indeed hold up their end of the bargain over a proposed period of five years.
Osimhen’s entourage has attempted to paint this as an attempt on Napoli’s part to frustrate the deal, over which he has agreed personal terms. However, the Azzurri may have a very good reason for their reluctance.
Why do Napoli need a guarantee to transfer Victor Osimhen?
With the Italian side keen to strengthen their squad even further this summer, liquidity is vital for them. Selling Osimhen is key to that, and they need to be able to bank his fee in full.
🚨🟡🔴 The deal for Victor Osimhen has never been off so far as talks are still underway with Napoli.
Italian club insist to have bank guarantees as key step to accept €75m in five years.
Galatasaray remain in Milano to negotiate and get the green light. pic.twitter.com/9Jh3Cf6FSU
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 10, 2025
More importantly, however, is the fact that Turkish clubs have a notoriously poor record when it comes to honouring payment timelines. Here is a table of instances where Turkish sides have been sanctioned by FIFA for defaulting on their transfer obligations.
| Club | Unpaid Fee Details | FIFA Sanction |
| Trabzonspor | €2.5M to AS Trencín (Bero, 2016) | Registration ban (Mar 2018) |
| Kayserispor | Various 2016–17 fees | Winter 2019 transfer ban (Nov 2018) |
| Bucaspor | $2M to Torric Jebrin (2014 contract) | Two‑year transfer ban |
| Kayserispor | €3.6M to Atlético Madrid (Mensah) | FIFA complaint, possible ban |
| Eyüpspor | €100k solidarity fee (Urozov, 2024) | Three‑window transfer ban (Mar 2024) |
While Galatasaray have not themselves fallen foul of this, their desperation to sign Osimhen is apparent, as is the fact that it would be a record transfer fee paid by a Turkish club.
Cim Bom are pulling out all the stops to make it happen, but there remains justifiable scepticism as to the financials of the deal, so it makes sense that Napoli want as many assurances as possible.
