Galatasaray President Dursun Özbek Used €35M From Personal Company to Complete Victor Osimhen’s €75M Transfer

Galatasaray president Dursun Özbek has lifted the lid on the complex financial arrangements that underpinned Victor Osimhen‘s €75 million permanent transfer from Napoli, confirming that €35 million of the fee was drawn directly from his personal tourism and real estate company.

Speaking publicly about the deal, Özbek described an unusually demanding negotiation process with the Italian club, who insisted on financial guarantees that went beyond standard transfer procedure. “Napoli Club requested a guarantee for Osimhen’s club. I’ve never seen anything like that before,” Özbek stated.

“The procedures are usually very strict anyway. We paid part of it upfront, and I provided the rest from my own company. 35 million Euros from my own company… In that sense, it was a very difficult transfer,” he added.

The admission underlines the lengths to which Galatasaray’s leadership was willing to go to secure the Nigeria international on a permanent basis. Osimhen, 27, had initially joined the Turkish club on loan from Napoli during the 2024/25 season after a protracted transfer saga that saw him remain at the Italian side beyond his expected departure window.

On the pitch, the investment has yielded substantial returns. Osimhen contributed 15 league goals and seven Champions League goals during the 2025/26 campaign, playing a central role in Galatasaray’s charge for the Süper Lig title. His performances have reinforced Özbek’s conviction that the financial risk was warranted, with the club president expressing considerable pride in the acquisition and noting its broader impact on the club’s profile.

The disclosure is notable given the scale of personal financial exposure involved. It is uncommon for club presidents to publicly confirm the use of private corporate funds to bridge transfer fees, and Özbek’s comments offer a rare insight into the behind-the-scenes mechanics of high-value football deals.

Osimhen’s career trajectory has been closely followed across Africa since his emergence at Napoli, where he won the Serie A title in the 2022/23 season — the club’s first league championship in 33 years. He finished that campaign with 26 Serie A goals, earning widespread recognition as one of the continent’s most prolific forwards. His move to Galatasaray, initially on loan and now made permanent, represents a significant chapter in Turkish football, with the club now competing at the highest European level.

According to reports, Osimhen continues to attract interest from several top European clubs, with speculation linking him to a potential move to Chelsea should certain transfer conditions be met. However, no confirmed departure has been announced, and Galatasaray’s substantial financial commitment to securing him permanently suggests the club intends to retain the striker for the foreseeable future.

For Galatasaray, the 2025/26 season has marked an ambitious push for domestic and continental relevance, with Osimhen’s goals serving as a cornerstone of that effort. Özbek’s willingness to bridge a nine-figure transfer fee using personal funds reflects both the club’s ambition and the perceived transformational value of adding a player of Osimhen’s calibre to their squad.