Victor Osimhen is poised for yet another standoff with Napoli, as the striker pushes for a permanent move to Galatasaray — a preference that complicates negotiations for both his parent club and Saudi giants Al-Hilal.

The Nigerian international joined Galatasaray on loan last summer under exceptional circumstances. With the transfer window closed in most European leagues, and no club willing to meet Napoli’s asking price, the Turkish champions offered a short-term solution. The move was intended to provide Osimhen with regular playing time and preserve his market value.

That plan paid off handsomely. The forward registered an astonishing 37 goals and eight assists in 41 competitive appearances during the 2024/25 season, significantly boosting his stock on the European stage.

However, a fresh conflict is now brewing. Napoli recently turned down a €65 million offer, plus bonuses, from Al-Hilal, and are standing firm on Osimhen’s €75 million release clause. Yet, the player himself is resisting a move to Saudi Arabia.

According to reports from Fabrizio Romano, Sky Sports Deutschland, and Turkish journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu, Osimhen would prefer to remain at Galatasaray — even at the cost of a reduced salary — in order to play UEFA Champions League football next season.

While Galatasaray may be prepared to offer wages in the region of €21 million, they are unable to meet the full €75 million transfer fee demanded by Napoli, creating a stalemate.

Both Osimhen and Napoli had been optimistic that Premier League interest would materialise this summer. However, English clubs such as Manchester United, Chelsea, and Arsenal appear to be prioritising other targets, leaving the forward in limbo once again.

The result is a familiar scenario: a high-stakes impasse, with Napoli and Osimhen locked in a battle to protect their diverging ambitions. As the summer transfer window progresses, tensions are expected to escalate unless a compromise is reached.