Nigeria's Victor Osimhen is expected to return to SSC Napoli at the end of the season after his loan move to Galatasaray.
Serie A leaders Napoli have officially rejected a €65 million bid from Galatasaray to make Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen's transfer permanent.
The Turkish club's offer fell short of the €75 million release clause that Napoli had set for the January transfer window, prompting the Italian side to decline the proposal.
Osimhen, currently on loan at Galatasaray, has made a significant impact since joining the Turkish giants last September, scoring 16 goals in 20 appearances.
His performances have made him a key player for Galatasaray, who are keen to secure his services permanently and have been told to go all out to sign the Nigerian.
However, Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis is holding out for a better deal, preferring to wait until the summer transfer window when the release clause will apply to all clubs according to a report by Corrieredellosport.
The situation is further complicated by Osimhen's expressed desire to finish the season with Galatasaray, where he has found success and stability after a tumultuous period at Napoli.
Last summer, Napoli had reduced his release clause from €130 million to €75 million, making him more accessible to interested clubs. But Galatasaray were given exclusive rights to sign him for this amount during January.
Despite their efforts, Galatasaray's bid was not enough to sway Napoli's decision. The club is keen to maximize their return on Osimhen, especially after investing heavily in new signings last summer.
As it stands, any other club looking to acquire Osimhen would need to pay €81 million during this window-a figure that includes a €6 million compensation fee for Galatasaray.
While he remains committed to helping Galatasaray pursue silverware this season, Napoli's firm stance suggests they are prepared to leverage his value in the upcoming summer transfer market.
With his contract running until 2026 and an option for renewal until 2027 included in his agreement with Napoli, Osimhen's next move will undoubtedly be one of the major talking points in European football.
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