Galatasaray’s top brass have unexpectedly extended their stay in Italy as they continue to push for a breakthrough in negotiations with Napoli over the permanent signing of Victor Osimhen, Footynaija.com reports.
The Turkish champions’ directors were initially scheduled to return to Istanbul from Milan on Friday morning but opted to remain in Italy, signalling the urgency and complexity of the deal for the Nigerian striker, as per Football-Italia.
Osimhen, who enjoyed a spectacular loan spell at Galatasaray last season, is open to making the move permanent. The 25-year-old scored a staggering 37 goals in 41 appearances, guiding the club to the Turkish Super Lig title and earning the Best Player award for the 2024–25 campaign.
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Galatasaray are reportedly willing to trigger the €75 million release clause in Osimhen’s contract. However, Napoli remain cautious and are seeking concrete financial guarantees before signing off on the transfer. While the fee itself isn’t a stumbling block, the structure of payments and the Italian club’s demand for security are delaying the final agreement.
Victor Osimhen – #Napoli story:
• Ten days ago, Napoli seriously asked him to stay, he replied he wasn’t interested.
• This afternoon, the club asked if they could resume contact with Al Hilal, he requested they do everything possible to resolve issues with Galatasaray, his… pic.twitter.com/bQpO499u0j
— Napoli Zone (@TheNapoliZone) July 10, 2025
Sources close to the talks reveal that Napoli recently asked Osimhen if he would consider staying in Naples, but the striker made it clear he had no intention of returning. When approached again this week about a potential move to Al Hilal, Osimhen reiterated his desire for Galatasaray to be his priority.
Although UEFA has been mentioned as a possible intermediary to ensure payment security, that option appears unworkable for now. The Galatasaray delegation has a return flight scheduled for Saturday, but their extended presence in Milan suggests more negotiations are expected before any paperwork is signed.
