Fenerbahçe legend Umit Ozat has expressed serious concerns regarding the financial sustainability of Victor Osimhen's record-breaking €75 million transfer to Galatasaray, describing the fee as "far above the national economy" of Turkey.
The Nigerian international striker recently completed his permanent move from Napoli to Galatasaray in a deal that shattered the previous Turkish football transfer record, raising eyebrows across the football world.
Speaking on SkySpor's YouTube channel, Ozat acknowledged Galatasaray's achievement in securing Osimhen's signature but questioned the financial wisdom behind such an expensive acquisition.
"Galatasaray did a great job keeping Osimhen. I am not disputing Osimhen's performance," Ozat stated. "However, the cost is far above the national economy. I would say so if Fenerbahçe did the same."
The former Fenerbahçe star was quick to clarify that his concerns were not about Osimhen's quality as a player but rather about the financial implications for Turkish football clubs operating within the country's economic constraints.
"Osimhen is a valuable, high-quality, and great player, but for our clubs, these amounts are a lot of money," he added.
The transfer has positioned Osimhen as one of the highest-paid African players globally and the most expensive Nigerian footballer in history. Galatasaray's vice-president, Abdullah Kavukcu, previously defended the club's decision to break the Turkish transfer record, citing Osimhen's exceptional talent and potential impact on the team's performance.
The Super Eagles striker has already begun training with Galatasaray following the completion of his transfer, with the club planning an official unveiling ceremony at RAMS Park.
Osimhen's move to Turkey comes after prolonged transfer speculation throughout the summer, with the striker having been linked to several European giants before ultimately choosing Galatasaray as his next destination.
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