In an attempt to persuade Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen to join the team permanently after his incredible loan stint from Napoli, Turkish Super Lig champions Galatasaray plan to offer him a €3 million annual pay increase to €15 million annually, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.
According to Il Napolista, the Istanbul giants are willing to raise their offer to €15 million annually, or roughly €288,000 per week, which would be the highest salary in the striker’s career and the most lucrative deal Galatasaray has ever made to a player. The 26-year-old Nigerian forward currently makes about €12 million per year at Galatasaray.
After joining Galatasaray on a season-long loan from Napoli last summer, Osimhen has had an incredible season. Following his exclusion from Napoli’s season-long plans, many initially believed the Nigerian international would just be wasting his time in Turkey. However, he has swiftly emerged as a fan favorite and one of the team’s most valuable assets.
With 37 goals and eight assists in 41 games for the Lions, the striker has had an incredible impact and developed a close bond with the team’s supporters. Galatasaray’s record 25th league title and Turkish Cup double were secured in large part thanks to his prolific play.
Osimhen scored his 37th goal for the team in their 2-0 victory over Istanbul Başakşehir in their final 2024–2025 season match at RAMS Park on Saturday, capping off his loan stint in spectacular fashion. After Dries Mertens had given Galatasaray the lead with a penalty kick in the 17th minute, the striker doubled the team’s lead in the 81st minute by heading home Kaan Ayhan’s cross from the right wing at the far post.
Osimhen’s potential final appearance for the newly crowned Süper Lig champions provided a fitting cap to an incredible individual campaign, and the victory marked Galatasaray’s tenth straight victory across all competitions.
With club vice-president Kavukcu stating earlier this month that preparations were already in place to secure a permanent transfer, Galatasaray has made it clear that they intend to keep Osimhen after this summer.
“In January, we discussed Osimhen with my president,” Kavukcu stated. “In January, we told Osimhen, ‘We really want you, don’t leave. Our goal is to obtain your transfer. For this, we are creating projects. We created them to sit at that table, and we are currently seated at that table. We are prepared to transfer him and cover his salaries from Europe.
Supporters have launched increasingly inventive campaigns to convince the Nigerian international to stay in Istanbul, matching the club’s resolve to retain their star striker. As part of the ongoing #staywithus campaign, a sincere appeal has been featured on a Times Square billboard in New York City.
“The player will decide about his future,” Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk said earlier this week, acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding Osimhen’s future while expressing hope he would stay. Here, he made an amazing contribution. Although we hope he will remain with us, we must respect him.
But there are still major barriers to any long-term agreement. The striker is valued at approximately €70 million by Napoli, who own Osimhen’s registration, and they are unlikely to lower their assessment of one of their most valuable assets. The largest obstacle to Galatasaray’s hopes of obtaining a permanent transfer is the Serie A team’s high asking price.
The key question at this point is whether Galatasaray has the funds to satisfy Osimhen’s higher salary demands as well as Napoli’s transfer demands. Although the improved contract offer from the Turkish champions shows their commitment, closing the gap to Napoli’s €70 million valuation is a much more difficult task.
The striker is scheduled to return to Napoli this summer after his loan period is over, but there is still a lot of uncertainty surrounding his future. The club’s supporters, who still hope their improved financial package will be sufficient to secure his permanent signature, will never forget his impact on Turkish football and Galatasaray’s historic season.