Osimhen transfer drags as Napoli, Gala intensify talks

The talks between Victor Osimhen's parent club, Napoli, and Turkish powerhouse Galatasaray, where he played on loan last season, are still ongoing. Osimhen's impending departure from Napoli has taken several turns in recent days.

Both teams have agreed on Osimhen's €75 million release clause, and he has accepted a permanent move to Turkey. However, the payment plan has caused the negotiations to halt.

The 26-year-old's release clause expires on Tuesday, therefore Napoli will once more decide how much to ask for the striker's sale if no team is able to pay the payments.

Fabrizio Romano, a transfer news analyst, provided an update on the transfer on Sunday.

“New direct talks underway today for Osimhen deal ahead of crucial week. Galatasaray’s bid on the table is €40m now plus €17.5m and €17.5m in instalments.

“Napoli are open to this solution but insist on different payment terms and bank guarantees.”

The said bank guarantees have been a stumbling block since last week as Napoli and Galatasaray are trying to reach a breakthrough in the saga.

Napoli was willing to allow Galatasaray to pay the amount in five installments as of last week, provided that they had adequate financial assurances that the entire amount would be paid.

However, their meeting encountered significant challenges. Napoli halted the negotiations due to the absence of a trustworthy bank letter of guarantee, which led to Galatasaray's revised payment proposal of €40 million immediately plus €17.5 million and €17.5 million in installments.

Sports Digitale in Turkey claims that Napoli is also concerned because they have a history of having trouble receiving timely payment from Galatasaray for the 2014 transfers of Blerim Dzemaili and Goran Pandev.

After declining a move to Saudi Arabia, Osimhen has now declined the opportunity to rejoin Napoli.

The Nigerian international scored 37 goals and provided eight assists in 41 competitive games during his time on loan at Galatasaray last season.

The days ahead will be critical. The deal might be finalized soon if Galatasaray can deliver on the assurances Napoli is requesting.

Napoli might start considering other bids, though, if the delays persist.