Victor Osimhen’s €75 million move from Napoli to Galatasaray has the potential to be a game-changer for the Turkish Super Lig.
Turkish football is not renowned for completing the most expensive football transfers in Europe, but this deal could change the narrative.
Galatasaray lay down a marker in Turkey
Osimhen is the 20th player to be signed by a Turkish club for €10m or more. Here is the list of the most expensive signings in Super Lig history.
- Victor Osimhen – 2025/26 – Galatasaray – €75.00m
- Orkun Kokcu – 2026/27 – Besiktas – €25.00m
- Youssef En-Nesyri – 2024/25 – Fenerbahce – €19.50m
- Gabriel Sara – 2024/25 – Galatasaray – €18.00m
- Jardel – 2000/01 – Galatasaray – €17.05m
- Gedson Fernandes – 2022/23 – Besiktas – €16.00m
- Cengiz Under- 2023/24 – Fenerbahce – €15.00m
- Nicolo Zaniolo – 2022/23 – Galatasaray – €15.00m
- Dani Guiza – 2008/09 – Fenerbahce – €14.00m
- Mbaye Diagne – 2018/19 – Galatasaray – €13.00m
- Emmanuel Emenike – 2013/14 – Fenerbahce – €13.00m
- Bruma – 2013/14 – Galatasaray – €13.00m
- Sofyan Amrabat – 2025/26 – Fenerbahce – €12.00m
- Diego Carlos – 2024/25 – Fenerbahce – €11.47m
- Moatasem Al-Musrati – 2024/25 – Besiktas – €11.00m
- Mauro Icardi – 2023/24 – Galatasaray – €10.00m
- Ernest Muci – 2023/24 – Besiktas – €10.00m
- Younes Belhanda – 2017/18 – Galatasaray – €10.00m
- Raul Meireles – 2012/13 – Fenerbahce – €10.00m
- Moussa Sow – 2011/12 – Fenerbahce – €10.00m
The Nigerian striker rejected interest from several other top European clubs in favour of joining Galatasaray, including Chelsea and Manchester United.
“I love Galatasaray,” Osimhen said. “I’m happy to continue this story with Gala. Honestly, I’m struggling to find the words to describe this.
“I feel amazing being here. I mean, look at the crowd, look at the people following my flight – I’m home. This is where I want to be.
“I’m so happy to be here, to be able to come back. It’s wonderful to return to a place where I feel safe, where I feel at home with my family, my friends, and myself.
“I have a deep bond with this club, this city, these people. That’s why I fought so hard to come back here. I continue to live this feeling, to play for a purpose.
“I want to do my best for both myself and the fans, and I’m really happy to be here.”
Osimhen spent last season on loan in Istanbul, scoring 37 goals in all competitions as Galatasaray pipped Fenerbahce to retain the Super Lig title.
He has signed a four-year contract which will pay a guaranteed net salary of €15m per season. The deal also includes a net loyalty bonus of €1m per season and €5m as payment for image rights.
The 26-year-old reportedly rejected a staggering €40m-a-year contract offer from Saudi Pro League (SPL) club Al-Hilal in June. He was eager to stay in European football.
His decision to join Galatasaray permanently is a major boost for a country which is currently ranked ninth in the latest UEFA club coefficient standings.
England, Italy, Spain, Germany and France fill the top five positions, ahead of the Netherlands, Portugal and Belgium.
However, Osimhen’s move to Galatasaray should boost the Super Lig’s profile and may persuade other top players to move there in the future.
His decision to snub the SPL is a major blow to their hopes of becoming a genuine challenger to the best leagues in European football.
SPL clubs have largely attracted veterans, ‘big-name’ flops or players who have been unable to secure transfers elsewhere due to off-field issues.
Signing Osimhen would have been a massive statement of intent by Al-Hilal, but the lure of returning to Galatasaray proved too tempting for him to resist.
