Juventus have emerged as surprise contenders to secure the Nigerian striker’s signature, despite his current loan spell at Galatasaray and persistent interest from Premier League giants Chelsea and Manchester United.
According to Italian publication Il Mattino, the Turin-based club is seriously considering activating Osimhen’s €75 million (£62.2m) release clause, potentially triggering a dramatic January move for the 25-year-old forward. This development adds another layer of intrigue to what has already been a complex narrative surrounding Osimhen’s future.
The timing of Juventus’s interest is particularly notable given Osimhen’s impressive form in Turkey, where he has netted nine goals in just 12 appearances for Galatasaray. His successful adaptation to Turkish football has made his parent club Napoli’s willingness to entertain offers all the more surprising.
However, the proposed transfer appears to be part of a larger strategic plan for Napoli. Reports suggest that funds from Osimhen’s potential sale could facilitate multiple acquisitions, including Lecce’s Patrick Dorgu, Arsenal’s Jakub Kiwior, and Empoli’s Jacopo Fazzini. This multi-player recruitment strategy indicates Napoli’s potential willingness to sacrifice their star striker for broader squad reinforcement.
Despite the mounting speculation and Juventus’s reported interest, Osimhen himself has publicly expressed contentment with his current situation at Galatasaray. In a recent statement, the striker was unequivocal about his immediate future: “I will not leave in January, I am at Galatasaray until the end of the season. I do not know what Galatasaray and Napoli are talking about afterwards, but if they come to me, we will talk. Galatasaray is a nice club that I like very much. I am very happy at Galatasaray.”
The striker’s clear stance presents a significant obstacle to Juventus’s plans, as well as those of long-term admirers Chelsea and Manchester United. Both Premier League clubs have maintained their interest in Osimhen, viewing him as a potential solution to their respective attacking needs. Chelsea, in particular, has been linked with the Nigerian international for several transfer windows as they seek to address their ongoing scoring challenges.
Juventus’s interest represents a bold move in the context of Serie A politics, given the traditional rivalry between themselves and Napoli. A direct transfer between the clubs would be a rare occurrence, making the potential deal even more intriguing. The Old Lady’s willingness to meet the substantial release clause also signals their serious intent to strengthen their attacking options.
The timing of this development is particularly fascinating given the approaching January transfer window. While Osimhen’s statements suggest a strong commitment to seeing out his loan spell at Galatasaray, the football transfer market is notoriously unpredictable, and situations can change rapidly if clubs meet the required financial conditions.
For Galatasaray, the possibility of losing Osimhen midway through the season would represent a significant blow to their ambitions, given his impressive goal-scoring record since arriving in Istanbul. The Turkish giants would likely resist any attempts to cut short what has been a highly successful loan spell thus far.
As the January transfer window approaches, all eyes will be on how this situation develops. While Juventus’s interest adds another fascinating dimension to the Osimhen saga, the striker’s clear stance on remaining with Galatasaray suggests that any potential move might have to wait until the summer. However, in the ever-unpredictable world of football transfers, particularly when substantial release clauses are involved, nothing can be ruled out entirely.
