Napoli outcast Osimhen joins Galatasaray on loan after transfer saga

Exiled Napoli striker Victor Osimhen completed a season-long loan move to Galatasaray on Wednesday, ending one of the summer's strangest sagas.

Unable to get a move to either Chelsea or Saudi side Al-Ahli on transfer deadline day, Osimhen accepted Galatasaray's terms, which include a break clause allowing him to leave for another club in January, sources told The Athletic's David Ornstein.

Napoli also lowered Osimhen's release clause to €75 million from €130 million, transfer insider Fabrizio Romano reports, which could help facilitate a January transfer.

The deal doesn't include an option or obligation to buy Osimhen at the end of the season, according to Ornstein. Galatasaray will, however, cover the Nigerian's reported €12-million annual salary. Napoli also confirmed that Osimhen agreed to extend his contract with the Italian side until 2027 as part of the deal.

His loan spell in Turkey officially ends on June 30, 2025.

Osimhen couldn't force a transfer this summer despite making it clear as early as January that he wanted to leave Napoli. Chelsea reportedly had an agreement in place with Napoli, but Osimhen couldn't agree to personal terms.

While the transfer window is closed for each of Europe's top five leagues, Turkish clubs can make signings until Sept. 13. European clubs can sell players even after their window has closed.

Osimhen was a protagonist when Napoli captured their third-ever Scudetto in 2023, scoring 26 goals. He scored 15 times last term despite the Partenopei's disappointing 10th-place finish.

The Nigerian international's future teammates at Galatasaray include Mauro Icardi, former Napoli player Dries Mertens, Michy Batshuayi, and Lucas Torreira.