Victor Osimhen is set to arrive in Istanbul this week as Galatasaray prepare to unveil the Nigerian striker following the finalisation of his €75m transfer from Napoli.
The anticipation among Galatasaray fans is coming to an end, with the club’s management ready to bring the world-renowned striker to Istanbul once the paperwork is completed.
According to a Turkish publication, Fanatik, Abdullah Kavukcu, vice president of Galatasaray, is expected to travel to Italy on Tuesday (today) or Wednesday to complete the transfer.
Kavukcu, who will seal the deal for Osimhen, is likely to return to Istanbul with the Nigerian star.
Galatasaray are planning a signing ceremony for Osimhen during their home match against Lazio on Saturday, August 2, having reached an agreement with both Napoli and the player’s representatives on all terms.
The Turkish giants will pay Napoli a transfer fee of €75m for Osimhen, with €40m paid upfront and the remaining €35m to be paid by the end of 2026. The star striker is expected to earn an annual salary of €16m with the Yellow-Reds.
In the previous season, Victor Osimhen played 41 matches for Galatasaray, scoring 37 goals and providing eight assists.
Speaking in a video shared on Wednesday on a YouTube channel in Nigeria, Osimhen reflected on his humble beginnings in Lagos, sharing insights about his childhood that became a trending topic.
“Seven children, my mum, and my dad all lived in a single room. Most people who know me know that I would have succeeded even without football. But the conditions where I grew up were far from encouraging,” Osimhen said.
“There were a few friends in my neighbourhood who played football like me. This small community was full of talent. But when the field shut down, many dreams died. I couldn’t let my dream die. I had to go to different places to train and play.”
The striker revealed he had to temporarily abandon football to make ends meet, adding, “For a few years, I had to quit football and take jobs like carrying water. But I always knew my true calling was football.”
Reflecting on the lessons learnt from his upbringing, Osimhen concluded, “What this neighbourhood taught me is this: Nothing here is handed to you on a silver platter. Whatever you want, you have to fight for it.”
Despite his global recognition and impending high-profile move, the 26-year-old has previously opened up about the challenges that come with fame, describing it as a restriction on his personal life and freedom.
In an interview posted via X by Instagblog, the striker shared a personal moment about missing out on his daughter’s first outing due to public attention and fan presence.
Reflecting on the effects of stardom, Osimhen remarked, “Fame is boring. Sometimes you want to go outside, and you cannot do a lot of things.”
Osimhen added that he feels most comfortable when surrounded by ordinary people, even when accompanied by security personnel.
“If I have my security and they are strapped, for me, I’m good. I can be among these people. I don’t care. This is my life. This is how I live,” he said.
