Napoli have rejected a formal €70 million offer from Turkish club Galatasaray for Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
Romano disclosed on Friday that Galatasaray submitted the bid earlier in the day along with bank documents to guarantee payment. However, Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis turned down the offer, maintaining his demand for a guaranteed €75 million fee.
“Understand Napoli have now rejected new formal proposal sent by Galatasaray today for Victor Osimhen,” Romano wrote. “Galatasaray offered €70m today with bank documents attached for payment guarantees… Napoli president De Laurentiis wants €75m guaranteed and he has rejected.”
The development is the latest setback in Galatasaray’s ongoing attempt to secure the services of the Super Eagles forward, with negotiations stretching on for several weeks. Earlier reports had suggested that both clubs were close to an agreement that would allow Galatasaray to pay the transfer fee in five instalments.
Despite the payment guarantees included in Galatasaray’s recent offer, it fell short of Napoli’s valuation, resulting in another breakdown in talks.
Osimhen, a key figure in Napoli’s Serie A-winning campaign two seasons ago, remains one of Europe’s most sought-after strikers. He previously turned down a more lucrative move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal, expressing his preference to stay in Europe and continue his career at Galatasaray, where he spent last season on loan.
Reports had earlier indicated that Napoli preferred to sell Osimhen to a Saudi club rather than accept Galatasaray’s advances. Nigerian journalist Onyebuchi Onokala, also known as Buchi Laba, had claimed that Napoli previously rejected a €75 million bid from Galatasaray, despite it matching the striker’s official release clause.
However, sources close to Osimhen insist that the player is not interested in a move to Saudi Arabia and is committed to playing in Europe.
Meanwhile, Premier League clubs appear to have cooled their interest in the forward. Arsenal are reportedly focusing on other transfer targets, while Manchester United have shifted their attention to Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo due to concerns over Osimhen’s wage demands.
With no serious offers coming from England or Spain, Osimhen looks set to continue his career in Istanbul unless another breakthrough is reached.
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