Victor Osimhen has finally completed a permanent move from Napoli to Galatasaray following a season-long loan with the Turkish champions, but the transfer terms have raised questions about how Super Eagles players are valued in the European market.
Osimhen, who enjoyed a record-breaking campaign in Turkey, finishing as the league's highest scorer with 26 goals and becoming the highest-scoring foreign player in a single Super Lig season with 37 goals across all competitions, has been acquired by Galatasaray for €75 million, payable in two installments.
The deal includes a 10 percent sell-on clause for Napoli and a restriction preventing Galatasaray from selling the Nigerian striker to any Italian club for the next two years.
This transfer follows a tumultuous period where Napoli reportedly treated Osimhen poorly despite his crucial role in helping them win their first Serie A title in 33 years in 2023, when he scored 26 league goals.
Expert Analysis on Osimhen's Treatment
Sports Media Expert and broadcaster Wale Adigun told BenriNews: "Napoli have acted in a very crass manner with the way they've handled the Osimhen. One would have thought that a player who played a crucial role in helping the Partenopei end three decades of hurt would have been treated much better."
"When cases like this happen, the public never knows the full story but from the outside looking in, Napoli didn't act with class," Adigun added.
Regarding the unusual clauses in Osimhen's transfer, Adigun explained: "Sell-on clauses are normal in transfer deals, so there's no big deal there. I also think there's a clause where Gala are unable to sell to a rival club in Italy as well. Sounds petty, but I'm sure Osimhen doesn't want to play in Italy again after this nasty episode."
Lookman's Similar Situation at Atalanta
Meanwhile, another Super Eagles star, Ademola Lookman, is facing a similar situation at Atalanta. The Italian club recently rejected Inter Milan's latest offer for the winger, believed to be an initial fee of €42 million plus €3 million in add-ons, with Atalanta holding out for around €50 million.
Lookman, who has one year remaining on his contract, is reportedly furious over the rejection, especially considering his instrumental role in helping Atalanta win the Europa League with his memorable hat-trick in the final.
Reports suggest that even if the transfer goes through, Inter Milan is only willing to pay Lookman an annual salary of €4 million, which many consider below market value for a player of his caliber.
"On Lookman, I think it's a different case here," Adigun said. "There's a feeling the player is making this move a year late. He failed to capitalize on his outrageous 2024 season when he scored a hat-trick in the Europa League final."
"Atalanta are a well-run club and always try to maximize profits from player sales. The club has always been sustained on this model," he continued. "TransferMarkt values Lookman at €60 million, but Atalanta are asking for around €50 million. Inter are shrewd in the market, their record shows that."
Despite the current impasse, Adigun expects the two Italian clubs to reach an agreement soon: "I think Inter are going to meet Atalanta in the middle and the player is going to get his move. Inter need players like Lookman to refresh their team, a squad that has been widely regarded as an aging one."
These two cases highlight a concerning pattern of European clubs potentially undervaluing Nigerian talent despite exceptional performances at the highest levels of football.
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