Galatasaray is reportedly eyeing Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson as a significant potential alternative should their high-stakes pursuit of Napoli’s Victor Osimhen ultimately prove unsuccessful, sources have revealed to Turkish-Football.
The reigning Turkish Super Lig champions are embarking on an ambitious transfer strategy this summer, aiming to bolster their squad with high-calibre attackers to compete on both domestic and European fronts.
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Galatasaray’s primary target for their attacking reinforcement has been Napoli’s prolific Nigerian striker, Victor Osimhen, who notably spent the previous season on loan at Galatasaray, scoring an impressive 37 goals and providing 8 assists in 41 appearances across all competitions.
This stellar performance, which saw him crowned the Turkish Super Lig’s Most Valuable Player, has made his permanent return a top priority for the club.
Galatasaray has reportedly tabled a highly competitive contract offer to Osimhen, ranging between €15 million and €20 million per year in net salary, a package that could rival or even exceed offers from top European clubs.
However, the negotiations with Napoli remain complex, primarily due to the €75 million release clause in Osimhen’s contract.
While Galatasaray is reportedly capable of triggering this clause, they are pushing for more flexible payment terms, seeking to spread the payments across multiple transfer windows. Chelsea also retains a strong interest in Osimhen and is reportedly planning to wait until August in hopes of securing a more economical deal for the Nigerian international, adding another layer of competition to the transfer saga. Osimhen himself is understood to be keen on a move to the English Premier League.
In the event that Galatasaray’s efforts to secure Osimhen do not come to fruition, they are poised to pivot their focus to Nicolas Jackson.
The 23-year-old Senegalese forward, who joined Chelsea from Villarreal last summer for approximately £32 million, has an estimated market value of €50 million, according to Transfermarkt. Jackson netted 14 goals in all competitions in his debut season with Chelsea, though his performances were at times inconsistent. Turkish football expert Serdar Ali Çelikler has indicated that Galatasaray is “waiting” to see how the Osimhen situation unfolds, suggesting that if Chelsea secures Osimhen, Galatasaray would then “enter for Nicolas Jackson.”
Jackson’s inclusion on Galatasaray’s shortlist, alongside other forwards like Jonathan David, underscores the club’s determination to bring in a proven, high-calibre striker to lead their line for the upcoming 2025/26 season. This aggressive approach in the transfer market, following the recent high-profile acquisition of Leroy Sané, signals Galatasaray’s clear intent to not only maintain their domestic dominance but also make a significant impact in the UEFA Champions League.
