The race to sign Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen has intensified, with two top-flight managers directly reaching out to the Napoli forward within a 48-hour window, as Liverpool, Galatasaray, and Al-Hilal accelerate efforts ahead of the summer transfer window.
Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk is the latest to personally contact Osimhen, appealing to him to commit to a permanent move to Istanbul following a successful loan stint. The Turkish club is reportedly putting forward a highly attractive offer and intends to centre their UEFA Champions League ambitions around the 26-year-old striker.
Buruk’s approach follows a similar call from newly appointed Al-Hilal head coach Simone Inzaghi, who contacted Osimhen to present the Saudi side’s record-breaking proposal: a three-year contract worth €40 million per year after tax. If accepted, it would make Osimhen the highest-paid Nigerian footballer in history, surpassing Odion Ighalo’s earnings during his time in the Chinese Super League.
While these personal overtures dominate headlines, Liverpool have opted for a more structured negotiation. The Premier League side is in advanced talks with Napoli over a potential triple-swap deal involving Darwin Núñez, Juventus winger Federico Chiesa, and an additional €20 million in cash.
According to Italian journalist Valter De Maggio, Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis remains firm on demanding the full €75 million release clause. Talks are reportedly stalled over differing player valuations and the finer details of the proposed exchange.
Núñez is understood to have given his approval for a move to Naples, which could streamline the negotiations into three concurrent transactions designed to reduce legal and financial hurdles.
Galatasaray’s vice president, Abdullah Kavucku, has publicly expressed impatience with the process, stating: “Osimhen must decide soon. We’ve made a much higher offer than others. There is no Plan B.”
Sources close to the Turkish side suggest they are banking on Osimhen’s familiarity with the club and the recent signing of Leroy Sané to sway the decision in their favour.
Al-Hilal, however, remain strong contenders due to their unmatched financial power and ambitious sporting project, especially as no European club has yet agreed to match their terms.
Napoli’s new manager, Antonio Conte, is reportedly planning to reinvest funds from Osimhen’s departure into a squad rebuild. Key targets include PSV’s Noa Lang, Bologna’s Dan Ndoye, and a direct push for Núñez.
With Khvicha Kvaratskhelia already sold to Paris Saint-Germain, a significant reshuffle of Napoli’s attacking options appears imminent, provided Osimhen is sold at the right valuation.
