Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen’s season-long loan to Galatasaray may have reshaped Turkish football’s global standing, but not everyone at the club was initially convinced it was the right decision.
The 26-year-old arrived in Istanbul after a falling out with his club Napoli, amid scepticism from some within Galatasaray’s leadership according to George Gardi, the agent who orchestrated the transfer.
Some reports suggest that a clause was even included in his contract, stipulating a financial penalty if he failed to score at least five goals—underscoring the uncertainty surrounding his potential impact in the Süper Lig.
Victor Osimhen transfer faced doubts within Galatasaray hierarchy
Speaking about the behind-the-scenes efforts that led to Osimhen’s transfer, Gardi shed light on the internal resistance he encountered within the club.
“When I explained this operation to Okan Buruk, he immediately grasped the magnitude of the issue and despite some skeptical voices within the club, he supported me to make progress because at that time, the dominant view within the club was that Icardi and Batshuayi were enough,” he revealed as reported by Türkiye Gazetesi.
Gardi went on to underline the importance of the transfer and questioned how different things might have been without the Nigerian's impact.
“If the Osimhen move had not been made, where would Galatasaray be in the league today?”
Osimhen has since established himself as a pivotal figure in Galatasaray’s resurgence, registering 29 goals and five assists in 33 appearances for the Turkish champions as they push to retain their Süper Lig title.
Osimhen's loan spell with the Turkish champions is set to conclude at the end of the season, with his contract at Napoli including a €75 million (£63.2 million) buyout clause. He has been linked with moves to Manchester United, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), and Juventus.
