Nigerian Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen, has recently joined Turkish team Galatasaray, but former captain of the Nigerian national team, Sunday Oliseh, who is also a member of the FIFA Technical Committee, has shed light on the reasons why numerous elite European clubs were reluctant to pursue him.
In a recent viral video, Oliseh revealed that the significant financial obligations, rather than a lack of interest, were the main factors discouraging potential buyers.
He provided a comprehensive breakdown of what he refers to as the “true cost” of acquiring Osimhen, estimating it to be around €187 million over four years.
Oliseh highlighted that whereas fans view football through a passionate perspective, clubs function as business entities, making the transfer of a player like the former Napoli striker a major financial decision. His analysis delved deeper than the widely reported €75 million transfer fee requested by Napoli.
He clarified that the actual costs for any club would include a clause mandating Napoli to receive 10% of any future transfer fee, in addition to Osimhen’s substantial net salary of €15 million annually.
He mentioned that the player’s salary alone would impose a burden of approximately €112 million over a four-year contract, and when this is combined with the transfer fee and potential resale clause, the total package amounts to a staggering €187 million.
Oliseh contends that this overwhelming financial commitment is what ultimately impeded negotiations with clubs such as Manchester United and Chelsea, who were reportedly interested in the 26-year-old player.
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The prolonged transfer ordeal, which strained the relationship between Osimhen and his former club Napoli, culminated in the striker’s record-setting move to the Turkish champions Galatasaray.
Although he was unavailable for Galatasaray’s 3-0 win against Gaziantep, he expressed his support for his new club by sharing a video of himself watching the match.
Following his absence from pre-season training due to the uncertainty regarding his transfer, Osimhen is anticipated to make his debut in the team’s forthcoming match against Fatih Karagumruk.
Galatasaray’s acquisition marks the most costly in the history of Turkish football, with the club reportedly paying the entire €75 million transfer fee upfront and committing to Osimhen’s high salary.
