Victor Osimhen’s transfer saga this summer was certainly a dramatic one. After a stellar season with Napoli, where he played a key role in securing their first Serie A title in 33 years, the expectations for his departure were high.
Several top clubs expressed interest, including Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Manchester United, Chelsea, and teams from Saudi Arabia. Despite this, Napoli’s demands complicated matters significantly. They insisted on a €120 million release clause for Osimhen, which was a substantial figure that deterred many potential suitors.
PSG and Osimhen had reached an agreement on personal terms, but the transfer fell through because Napoli’s asking price was still well over €100 million. Similarly, Al-Ahli managed to agree on a deal with Osimhen and proposed an €80 million package to Napoli, but this deal was scuttled when Napoli increased their asking price after learning about the transfer fee for Ivan Toney.
Chelsea also explored options, initially proposing a loan deal and later a loan with an obligation to buy, but they couldn’t finalize terms with Napoli or Osimhen.
Ultimately, Osimhen will join Galatasaray on a loan deal with a break clause in January. Napoli appears to have planned a strategic approach for his departure, with intentions to sell him in 2025 and potentially reducing his release clause to €75 million, making it more manageable for interested clubs.
This situation highlights the complexities involved in high-profile transfers and how financial and strategic considerations can heavily influence the outcome.