Galatasaray have revealed the intricacies of their €75 million deal to sign Victor Osimhen from Napoli, with president Dursun Özbek detailing unusual financial guarantees demanded by the Italian club.
Osimhen quickly became a key player for Galatasaray following his arrival, helping the club secure the Turkish Süper Lig title. According to Özbek, speaking to HT Spor, Napoli’s president Aurelio De Laurentiis insisted on stringent financial assurances before agreeing to the transfer. “Napoli asked for a guarantee for Osimhen. It’s the first time I’ve seen such a thing,” Özbek stated, noting the unusual nature of the request given standard transfer procedures.
The club reportedly sought a reference from the general manager of UniCredit, a partner of the Koç Group, to provide this guarantee – a level of financial and banking protection unprecedented in Galatasaray’s previous transfer dealings. This requirement initially presented a significant obstacle to completing the deal.
Özbek further revealed that he personally intervened to facilitate the payment, contributing €35 million of his own funds through his company. “We paid a portion in advance, and another portion I paid through my company. €35 million from my company… It was a very difficult transfer from that point of view,” he explained. The president emphasized the financial commitment required to secure Osimhen’s signature.
Osimhen’s performances since joining Galatasaray have justified the investment, with the club now considering him an integral and unsellable asset. The transfer has proven successful for all parties involved, solidifying Osimhen’s status as a fan favorite in Istanbul and delivering a significant return on investment for Galatasaray.
