Former Napoli star Marek Hamsik has expressed that Victor Osimhen’s recent loan move to Galatasaray may not have been purely for football reasons. According to Hamsik, it was unfortunate that Osimhen had to leave Napoli, especially after establishing himself as one of the club’s key players. Speaking to ULTIMATEBLOG Sports Extra, Hamsik hinted that the decision for Osimhen to depart from Diego Armando Maradona Stadium wasn’t based solely on sporting considerations.
Osimhen’s move to Galatasaray came after several failed transfer attempts, including high-profile interest from Chelsea and Saudi Arabian club Al Ahli. Despite Napoli receiving offers, Osimhen eventually joined Galatasaray on a season-long loan. Importantly, this loan does not include an option for Galatasaray to buy him permanently. To secure his future, Osimhen also extended his contract with Napoli until 2027, ensuring that he remains tied to the Italian club long-term.
The 25-year-old striker’s transfer saga was full of drama. After his failed transfers, Osimhen found himself frozen out of Napoli’s squad, making his switch to Galatasaray a lifeline to regain first-team football. In the meantime, Napoli moved quickly to sign Romelu Lukaku as a replacement for Osimhen. Hamsik praised Napoli’s ability to bring in Lukaku, acknowledging that while it was unfortunate to see Osimhen go, the club had made a smart move in signing a proven goal scorer.
“I’m sorry to see Osimhen leave, but it doesn’t seem like it was entirely about football,” Hamsik explained. “However, Napoli has done well to replace him. Lukaku is a world-class striker and can easily score 20 goals a season.”
Osimhen’s future was the subject of significant transfer speculation over the summer. Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain were among the clubs that tried to sign the Nigerian forward, but negotiations broke down. Al Ahli from the Saudi Pro League was another serious contender, with Napoli reportedly accepting an €80 million offer. However, Osimhen was hesitant to leave European football, which caused the deal to fall through. The situation became even more complicated when Napoli asked for an additional €5 million, further frustrating the Saudi club.
Despite the challenges, Osimhen remains one of the most sought-after strikers in world football, and his time at Galatasaray will be watched closely by many.