After failing to secure a move before August 31, Victor Osimhen could become Galatasaray soon.
According to reports in Italy, the Napoli outcast has agreed to a dry loan move to Turkey in order to play for at least another four months, as the Turkish transfer window remains open.
Napoli’s director of sport, Giovanni Manna, also confirmed that both clubs are close to an agreement after the Corriere dello Sport first broke the news on Monday afternoon.
With this development, things have moved rapidly to becoming a done deal.
Sky Sport Italia and RMC Sport also confirmed that Napoli have given the all-clear to a loan deal without an option to buy, provided Galatasaray covers his full salary of nearly €11m per season.
It was also reported that the Turkish giant could resort to an alternative arrangement, which would’ve been for them to pay a fee for the loan but share the wages.
Representatives of Turkey came to Naples for advanced negotiations and to finalize the paperwork.
Speaking with Sports Digitale in Turkey, Manna said: “It is correct to say we are in talks with Galatasaray and we are close to an agreement.”
The Nigerian striker who led Napoli to their first Serie A title in 30 years to emerge as the Serie A’s best player had little choice after their deal with Paris Saint-Germain failed to materialize.
Osimhen, who seems not to be interested in a move to Chelsea and Saudi Arabia, was reportedly enthusiastic about the idea of joining Galatasaray, having been faced with the prospect of having to sit in the stands until the transfer window opens in January.
Napoli already made it clear that he would not be welcomed back into the squad, so he is training separately from the first team.
Antonio Conte also said Napoli could not complete their transfer business as they could not sell Osimhen.
According to the club management, the Nigeria international declared months ago that he no longer wanted to play for them.
If he eventually completes the move, the African footballer of the year will be reunited with former Partenopei teammate Dries Mertens in Istanbul.
Osimhen will be a great addition to a Galatasaray team that will be competing in the Europa League. They are facing Tottenham Hotspur and Ajax in the tournament.
