Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen is on the brink of a landmark move to Turkish football giants Galatasaray, with the club preparing to unveil the Napoli forward in what will be one of the most high-profile transfers in its history.
According to Turkish daily Fanatik, Galatasaray Vice President Abdullah Kavukcu is expected to travel to Italy between Tuesday and Wednesday to finalise the remaining formalities of the €75 million deal. Once sealed, Osimhen is expected to make the journey to Istanbul with Kavukcu and will be officially unveiled to fans during Galatasaray’s home fixture against Lazio on Saturday, August 2.
The agreement with Napoli includes an initial €40 million payment, with the remaining €35 million scheduled for disbursement by the end of 2026. Osimhen, 26, is set to earn an annual salary of €16 million in what marks a significant financial and sporting statement by Galatasaray.
Though the transfer will end his three-year spell in Serie A, Osimhen departs Napoli as one of Europe’s most respected forwards, known for his pace, strength, and scoring instincts. Last season, he reportedly made 41 appearances for Galatasaray—likely a clerical error in Turkish reporting—as he was under contract with Napoli, where he continued to be a standout performer.
From One-Room Beginnings to Global Acclaim
Beyond the headlines of transfer fees and unveiling ceremonies, Osimhen’s story is one of remarkable resilience and relentless ambition. In a recently shared video interview on a Nigerian YouTube channel, the striker spoke candidly about his early struggles in Lagos, where he grew up in extreme poverty.
“Seven children, my mum, and my dad all lived in a single room,” he recalled. “Most people who know me know that I would have succeeded even without football. But the conditions where I grew up were far from encouraging.”
Osimhen revealed that at one point, he had to put football aside entirely to support himself. “For a few years, I had to quit football and take jobs like carrying water. But I always knew my true calling was football,” he said.
The field where he and his peers once trained was eventually shut down—a reality that crushed many young talents in his community. But Osimhen was determined not to let that fate define his journey. “What this neighbourhood taught me is this: Nothing here is handed to you on a silver platter. Whatever you want, you have to fight for it,” he said.
The Double-Edged Sword of Fame
Despite the fame and fortune that have followed his rise to the top tier of global football, Osimhen remains grounded—and at times, ambivalent about the spotlight.
In a previous interview posted by Instablog on X (formerly Twitter), the forward reflected on the personal costs of stardom. One such cost: missing out on his daughter’s first outing because of the overwhelming public attention.
“Fame is boring. Sometimes you want to go outside, and you cannot do a lot of things,” he said. While he acknowledges the need for security, Osimhen insisted he feels most at peace among everyday people. “If I have my security and they are strapped, for me, I’m good. I can be among these people. I don’t care. This is my life. This is how I live.”
As he prepares to begin a new chapter in Istanbul, Osimhen remains a symbol of what is possible through perseverance, talent, and unyielding determination—a journey that began in the streets of Lagos and continues now on one of Europe’s most storied footballing stages.