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Victor Osimhen is expected to arrive in Istanbul this week as Galatasaray prepares to introduce the Nigerian forward following the completion of his €75 million transfer from Napoli.
The excitement among Galatasaray supporters is nearing its climax, with the club officials ready to welcome the renowned striker once all necessary paperwork is finalized.
A Turkish outlet, Fanatik, reports that Abdullah Kavukcu, the vice president of Galatasaray, is likely to make a trip to Italy on Tuesday (today) or Wednesday to finalize the transfer.
Kavukcu, who is set to conclude the agreement for Osimhen, is expected to return to Istanbul accompanied by the Nigerian star.
Galatasaray is organizing a signing ceremony for Osimhen during their home match against Lazio on Saturday, August 2, having secured an agreement with both Napoli and the player’s representatives regarding all aspects.
The Turkish club will pay Napoli a transfer fee of €75 million for Osimhen, with €40 million to be paid upfront and the remainder of €35 million to be settled by the end of 2026. The star striker is anticipated to earn an annual salary of €16 million with the Yellow-Reds.
In the previous season, Victor Osimhen appeared in 41 matches for Galatasaray, netting 37 goals and assisting on eight occasions.
In a video shared on Wednesday on a Nigerian YouTube channel, Osimhen reflected on his modest beginnings in Lagos, discussing his childhood experiences that have since become a hot topic.
“Seven children, my mum, and my dad all lived in one small room. Most who know me understand that I would have succeeded even without football.
However, the circumstances of my upbringing were anything but supportive,” Osimhen shared.
He added, “There were friends in my neighborhood who played football too. Our small community was filled with talent, but when the field closed down, many dreams faded away. I was determined not to let my dream perish. I had to seek out different places to train and play.”
Osimhen disclosed that he sometimes had to put football on hold to make ends meet, stating, “There were years when I had to leave football and work jobs like carrying water. But deep down, I always knew my true passion was football.”
Reflecting on the lessons learned from his upbringing, Osimhen said, “What I learned from this neighborhood is that nothing is given to you easily. Whatever you desire, you must fight for it.”
Despite his international fame and a major transfer on the horizon, the 26-year-old has candidly discussed the challenges of celebrity life, characterizing it as a limitation on his private life and autonomy.
In an interview shared via X by Instagblog, he recounted a personal experience where he missed his daughter’s first outing due to the attention he received from the public and fans.
On the impact of fame, Osimhen commented, “Fame can be tedious. At times, you want to go out but feel restricted in what you can do.”
He expressed that he feels most at ease in the presence of regular people, even with security detail accompanying him.
“As long as my security is with me and prepared, I’m fine. I can mingle with ordinary folks. I don’t mind. This is my life. This is how I choose to live,” he stated.
