Mauro Icardi Rejects Galatasaray Contract Renewal Over Pay Cut, Says Osimhen Insider Buchi Laba

Questions over Mauro Icardi’s future at Galatasaray have intensified following a report from Buchi Laba, a Nigerian broadcaster with known ties to Victor Osimhen, who claims the Argentine striker has rejected the Istanbul club’s most recent contract renewal proposal.

According to Laba, Icardi’s refusal stems from two core objections: a significant proposed pay cut and a contract length he deemed insufficient. The development represents a notable shift in the narrative surrounding the veteran forward’s situation at the club.

The update carries particular weight within the Galatasaray fanbase given Laba’s track record. As Pulse Sports Nigeria reports, citing Turkish outlet Yeniçağ Newspaper, Laba is widely recognised among Cim-Bom supporters for his reliable insider access — most notably during the transfer process that resulted in Galatasaray permanently signing Osimhen from Napoli. That credibility has led supporters to take his account of Icardi’s stalled negotiations seriously.

The development contradicts earlier expectations. Galatasaray President Dursun Özbek had publicly confirmed that the club’s board formally presented Icardi with a contract extension offer, and it had initially been assumed that the Argentine had no fundamental objections to the financial terms being proposed.

Icardi’s standing at Galatasaray has shifted considerably since Osimhen’s arrival. Before the Nigerian joined the Turkish giants, Icardi was the club’s most influential attacking player, playing a central role in their 2022/23 Süper Lig title triumph. A succession of injury problems, combined with Osimhen’s consistently superior output and reports of disciplinary concerns surrounding Icardi, effectively repositioned the Argentine as a secondary figure within the squad.

Despite the shift in hierarchy, both forwards have publicly maintained a positive relationship. One widely noted moment came when Osimhen raised Icardi’s shirt toward the Istanbul skyline in a gesture of solidarity following the former Inter Milan striker’s injury — an image that resonated strongly with supporters of both players.

Galatasaray’s contract situation with Icardi is unfolding against a backdrop of broader squad-building activity as the club targets reinforcements ahead of potential Champions League involvement. The Istanbul side recently made an approach for departing Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva, though that pursuit is reportedly on hold due to the player’s substantial salary expectations.

With Icardi’s current arrangement under scrutiny and no resolution yet confirmed, the situation remains fluid. Whether the club revises its offer or moves on entirely is expected to become clearer in the coming weeks as the summer transfer window approaches.