Our Reporter
LAGOS — Nigerian football legend and FIFA Technical Committee member, Sunday Oliseh, has revealed the staggering financial realities behind Victor Osimhen’s headline-making move to Galatasaray — and why some of Europe’s biggest clubs walked away.
Oliseh, speaking in a video shared on social media, calculated the true cost of signing the Super Eagles striker at around €187 million over a four-year period — far beyond the €75 million transfer fee that grabbed the headlines.
“For fans, football is passion, love. But for the actors involved, it is business,” Oliseh explained, underscoring the commercial pressures that drive transfer decisions.
The Real Price Tag
While Napoli’s asking price was widely reported at €75 million, Oliseh said this figure barely scratched the surface. His breakdown included:
- €75 million transfer fee (paid upfront)
- 10% resale clause owed to Napoli on any future sale
- €15 million net annual salary, translating to €28 million gross per year — or €112 million across four years.
“When you add it all up, you get €187 million. That’s the real price of acquiring and maintaining Osimhen,” the former Super Eagles captain noted.
The sheer scale of the deal, he said, explains why English giants Manchester United and Chelsea — despite months of speculation — ultimately opted out.
From Naples to Istanbul
Osimhen’s summer was dominated by transfer drama, with tensions growing between the striker and Napoli as talks dragged on. In the end, Galatasaray swooped in, sealing the most expensive signing in Turkish football history.
The Istanbul champions unveiled their marquee man ahead of the new season, but he missed their opening Turkish Super Lig fixture against Gaziantep, a 3–0 win, due to his lack of pre-season training. Instead, Osimhen shared a video of himself watching from home, captioned: “Big mood, we keep going!”
The 26-year-old is expected to make his debut in Galatasaray’s next match against Fatih Karagumruk at Rams Park.
A Bold Move, a Bigger Pay-Off
For Osimhen, the transfer offers both sporting opportunity and financial security. For Galatasaray, it’s a calculated gamble — a record-breaking outlay on a striker whose goals could lift them to new heights in Europe.
As Oliseh’s figures show, the move wasn’t just about football. It was a masterclass in the business of the modern game.