Nigeria and Napoli striker Victor Osimhen. Photo by IMAGO
Galatasaray’s record-breaking capture of Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen has been described as both reckless and smart investment by Fortuna Sittard co-owner Isitan Gün, Soccernet.ng reports.
Isitan Gün is convinced that Galatasaray’s historic €75 million deal to sign Osimhen is a one-off moment in Turkish football history.
Osimhen completed his move from Napoli to the Super Lig champions in a transaction that will be paid in two instalments, the highest transfer fee ever paid by a Turkish club. Alongside the fee, the 26-year-old’s four-year contract is expected to cost Galatasaray over €80 million in wages.
Gün, who served on Galatasaray’s board for years and now runs the Dutch top-flight side, was candid in his assessment.
What was said about Victor Osimhen’s record move to Galatasaray
“I never see a transfer like this happening again in the Turkish league,” Isitan Gün told Voetbal Centraal. “€75 million is insane. It’s a one-off, I think.”
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Despite describing the figure as insane, the 49-year-old football administrator says the move has a strong business case.
Osimhen enjoyed a prolific loan spell at Galatasaray last season, netting 37 goals in 41 matches, helping the club clinch their third consecutive league title. That form convinced the club’s hierarchy that he could deliver sustained success, and a potential resale profit.
“This transfer is also an investment. They assume his resale value will increase if he has another good season,” said Gün, who now teaches at the Football Business Academy in Geneva.
“You could call it reckless, but the club is generating a significant profit worldwide from enormous shirt sales and the sporting momentum they currently have.”
Galatasaray’s dominance in Turkey, three consecutive Super Lig titles, has also boosted their commercial appeal.
According to Gün, the club’s global merchandise sales have surged, while new sponsorships have rolled in off the back of recent success.
Even if they fall short in this season’s UEFA Champions League, Gün believes the club can absorb the financial blow.
“Even if they don’t make it far in the Champions League this year, they can still absorb this transfer financially,” he said.
A major factor in Galatasaray’s confidence is the expected windfall from selling their training complex, a prime piece of Istanbul real estate.
“The club doesn’t spend money it doesn’t have,” Gün stressed. “Building land in Istanbul is almost unaffordable,” he added, noting that the sale could bring in hundreds of millions.
Osimhen, who moved from Lille to Napoli in 2020 and won Serie A before his loan to Galatasaray, has already proved he can thrive in Turkey. His pace, strength, and ruthless finishing made him an instant fan favourite last season, and supporters are already queuing for the new Osimhen-branded jerseys.
Galatasaray have lifted the Super Lig title in each of the past three seasons and Victor Osimhen was a central figure in their latest triumph.
Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele
Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele turns into a ball of passion when writing about Nigerian football and its talents, whether rising stars or established legends, locally and abroad.
From the deepest corners of the Middle East, to the green fields of the Americas, to the celebrated grounds in Europe, and the rich soils of Africa, Imhons is more than glad, usually with a glass of a tasty drink nearby, to capture the essence of the game, by connecting the dots between culture, identity, and football.