Osimhen arrives in Turkey following loan deal with Galatasaray
Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen, has broken his silence on the move to Galatasaray amid the back and forth on his transfer deal.
The striker had been frozen out of Napoli’s squad under new manager, Antonio Conte, after agitating for a move away from the club.
Napoli had signed Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea as his replacement, leaving him almost stranded.
He was on the brink of a stunning deadline day switch to Stamford Bridge as Chelsea prepared a loan with an obligation to buy.
But Osimhen’s move eventually fell through after the Nigerian asked for a wage package worth over £300,000-a-week, according to Sky Sports.
This left Osimhen in limbo, with Saudi suitors Al-Ahli also activating their Plan B by completing a deal for Brentford striker Ivan Toney.
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He had given the green light to a transfer to Al-Ahli, in a deal that would have made him the highest paid Nigerian player in history.
After the transfer window for Saudi and European leagues closed, Napoli agreed to loan him to Galatasaray. Turkish clubs have until September 13 to complete summer business.
The 25-year-old touched down in Istanbul, Turkey’s capital, in the early hours of Tuesday, with thousands of elated Galatasaray fans drumming and chanting his name as he walked through the airport.
“I am ready to give my best for them. This is one of the best sets of fans in the world. It feels good to be here, and I am absolutely excited.”
“Of course, I cannot wait to see them in the stadium, and I hear how they scream when I score. I am ready to give my best for them,” he said.
Osimhen is expected to complete his medicals at the club before an official announcement would be made.
Galatasaray are expected to pay the full salary of Osimhen during the loan spell, but the club will not be obligated to buy the striker once the season is over, according to SkyItalia.
