Serie A clubs, including Juventus and Roma, are on high alert following a statement from Nigerian coach Eric Challe indicating that Victor Osimhen “might be about to change clubs” after a two-year tenure with Galatasaray.
The prolific striker, who previously won the Scudetto with Napoli, was loaned to Galatasaray in 2024 due to a strained relationship with the Naples club. Although initially valued at twice the eventual transfer fee, he was sold to the Turkish side last summer for €75 million.
Osimhen appears to be back on the market, a situation confirmed by Nigeria’s manager Challe during a press conference. Challe explained Osimhen’s exclusion from the squad for a friendly against Poland, stating, “We miss two players because Victor Osimhen maybe he is about to change club, so I prefer he stays at home because if he plays and is not at 100 percent is not good.” He also noted Ademola Lookman’s absence due to fatigue, at Atletico Madrid’s request.
Nigeria Confirms Osimhen’s Imminent Transfer
Juventus had previously shown significant interest in Osimhen. However, Napoli, having experienced the sting of losing Gonzalo Higuain to their rivals, has since been reluctant to sell top players to Juventus. To prevent a recurrence of the €90 million Higuain transfer in 2016, Napoli implemented release clauses in their players’ contracts, making them valid only for clubs outside of Italy.
Furthermore, Napoli reportedly went to greater lengths with Osimhen’s transfer to Galatasaray, allegedly including an additional clause that prohibits his move to Serie A until September 2027, with a €50 million penalty. It remains to be seen if this clause is still enforceable or if it can be waived for clubs other than Juventus.
Osimhen has had a strong season, scoring 22 goals and providing eight assists in 33 competitive matches. This performance suggests that a return to Serie A is a viable option for him. While Juventus’s chances might have been diminished by their failure to qualify for the Champions League, Roma is actively seeking a center-forward with similar attributes. Although Mason Greenwood of Olympique Marseille is reportedly their primary target, Osimhen could now enter their considerations.
