Osimhen transfer saga: Galatasaray fan threatens Napoli owner’s son

There seems to be no end in sight to the transfer saga surrounding Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen, with the vice president and son of Napoli owner being sent death threats over the Nigerian’s protracted move

Following the constant back and forth between Osimhen’s parent club Napoli, Turkish Super Lig side Galatasaray and Saudi Pro League outfit Al Hilal all summer, it had appeared that the 26-year-old would be making a return to Rams Park.

However, despite the assurances and bank guarantees given by Galatasaray, reports have emerged that Napoli are playing hardball in their quest to frustrate Osimhen’s impending exit.

The latest development has seen Napoli vice president Edoardo De Laurentiis, son of club owner Aurelio, reportedly receiving death threats from an aggrieved Galatasaray fan via messaging platform WhatsApp, “Let Osimhen go or you are finished.”

According to Italian media outlet Football Italia, “Turkish journalist Samet Çayır published a WhatsApp chat between Edo De Laurentiis and an alleged Galatasaray supporter who warned him to let Osimhen go to avoid ugly consequences for him and his father.

The alleged Galatasaray fan introduced himself as a member of the Turkish Mafia before sending sickening death threats to the De Laurentiis family.”

Italian transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano had revealed via his official X account on social media that, “Galatasaray reject Napoli new conditions for Victor Osimhen deal, talks will continue if conditions change again. Napoli asked for €40m now plus €35m to be paid by 2026 plus a sell-on clause, Galatasaray want to pay €35m by 2027 and refuse to include a sell-on clause.”

Okan Buruk’s side had agreed to meet the full valuation being slapped on Osimhen, but Turkish transfer pundit Yagiz Sabuncuoglu revealed that Napoli were insisting on a 20 per cent sell-on clause, which would be in addition to their demands over the payment structure, while another transfer expert Matteo Moretto confirmed that the Partenopei want the full €35m remainder paid by the end of 2026, plus the percentage of any future transfer fee.

A recent update from Football Italia transfer expert Alfredo Pedullà suggested that the reigning Serie A league champions want Osimhen’s €75m clause to be paid in full with a fixed fee of at least €50m.

Galatasaray have reportedly offered to pay €40m upfront with the rest to be settled in instalments, but Napoli turned down that proposal, as they insist on holding out for €55m up front with the remaining €20m to be paid in instalments.

The recent happenings have probably triggered the ire of the supposed Gala fan, who in turn sent the threat messages to the Laurentiis father and son duo on WhatsApp, commanding them not to oppose Osimhen’s permanent move to the Super Lig side.

Osimhen spent the 2024/25 campaign on loan at Galatasaray, having been in Naples since the summer of 2020. He went on to score 37 goals in 41 appearances across all competitions for the Yellow and Red as he scooped the Super Lig title and the Turkish Cup crown. He also finished as the league’s top scorer with 26 goals, five more than closest challenger Krzysztof Piatek.

The Nigeria international is eager to make his move to Turkey a permanent one and has rejected several overtures and huge salary offers from Saudi powerhouse Al Hilal. Nonetheless, talks are still ongoing between Galatasaray and Napoli, with the Italian champions certain that the striker does not have a future at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.