I have followed Victor Osimhen’s transfer saga closely from 2024 until today, and I have come to the conclusion that Napoli are deliberately trying to frustrate and bully him.
It has been over six days since Victor agreed personal terms with Galatasaray. While it was fair for Napoli to reject Galatasaray’s initial €55 million offer, and even their installment-based offer spread over five years, their recent rejection of Galatasaray’s new proposal—which matched the €75 million release clause in two or three installments—is absurd and unreasonable.
Galatasaray reportedly offered €40 million upfront, and two further payments of €17.5 million each. Shockingly, Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis rejected the offer and even demanded a 20% sell-on clause in any future sale.
How can you expect a club to pay €75 million for a player, and then also give up a chunk of the potential profit they might make from his future transfer in one or two years?
Although I personally don’t want Victor to join Galatasaray—as they are not part of the top five leagues and have no serious ambition to win the UEFA Champions League anytime soon—we must admit that this transfer saga has revealed one thing: Napoli seem intent on emotionally punishing the player.
This is the same Napoli that let Khvicha Kvaratskhelia go to PSG without drama, in the middle of a title-challenging season. Kvara had every intention of running down his contract, yet he's being painted as a hero, while Victor—who could have left for free this year—chose instead to extend his contract, giving Napoli bargaining power under a gentleman’s agreement that they would sell him if an €80 million offer came in. They failed to honor that agreement.
Recall that in July, Fabrizio Romano reported that Victor had reached an agreement in principle with PSG for a €13 million per year salary. However, when PSG submitted an €80 million + €5 million offer, Napoli pulled the rug at the last minute and demanded €120 million, the full release clause. Of course, Napoli had the legal right to do so—but not long after, they were willing to negotiate with Chelsea and even Al Ahli for just €65 million. In fact, De Laurentiis pulled out of the Al Ahli deal simply because he wanted an extra €5 million.
After Napoli won the Scudetto, many clubs reportedly made offers for Victor, but he chose to stay in Naples—according to journalist Buchi Laba—and even if Buchi hadn’t reported it, I would still believe it. Victor is someone who thrives on the love of fans. He was loved in Naples, and that made him stay.
Unfortunately, that loyalty became his biggest mistake. Months later, the same club mocked him on social media.
Still, he extended his contract to give Napoli control. And in 2024, it was Napoli’s new sporting director, Giovanni Manna, who pushed the narrative that Victor had refused to play for the club—when in reality, both sides had an agreement that he would be sold in 2024.
But as the saying goes, “When dining with the devil, use a long spoon.â€
That’s why I can never blame players who decide to run down their contracts. At the end of the day, football is business, and the club will always prioritize its own interest. But with Victor’s case, it’s clear that this has gone beyond business—this feels like punishment.
Let’s not forget: this is the same De Laurentiis who bullied Koulibaly before finally selling him to Chelsea, kept Mertens until he was too old, and let him walk for free.
I could go on and on about the crimes committed by that man.
Now, the hate Victor tried to avoid by staying and not leaving for free, he’s now receiving in double fold for being loyal.
I’ve heard that his €75 million release clause has expired, but since neither Fabrizio Romano nor Buchi Laba has confirmed this, I assume it’s still active.
I’m also hearing that PSG may rekindle their interest—and I truly hope this is true. They are one of the few clubs that can pay the release clause in full and actually need a proper striker.
Yes, they have Dembélé, but Osimhen would bring so much more, especially with his chemistry with Kvara and his incredible pressing ability.
That pressing they say Dembélé offers?
Victor has it ×10.
He presses like he’s on crack.