Former Napoli sporting director Pierpaolo Marino has cast doubt over Galatasaray’s intentions in their pursuit of Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, suggesting the Turkish club’s move could be a strategic front for an eventual transfer to an Italian giant.
Galatasaray are reportedly keen to make Osimhen’s loan stay permanent and can do so for €75 million, thanks to a clause in his contract that allows foreign clubs to activate the buyout.
However, Marino believes the true motive may be to bypass clauses that prevent Italian clubs from securing him at a similar rate.
Speaking to RAI 2, Marino said, “The clause in my opinion is right for Osimhen’s international value. He is one of the few, 10 in the world, who can shift the balance of a team from non-winning to winning.”
He added, “Turkish teams have always incentivised players with pharaonic wages, but they have never paid that much for player registration.
“My doubt is: if the player were to go there, is it possible that the operation is aimed at bypassing the termination clause for Italy and bringing him here in a year at the price valid today for abroad?”
Marino further speculated that clubs like AC Milan or Juventus could be working behind the scenes with Galatasaray to secure a long-term plan for Osimhen.
“Am I saying that there is a company behind Galatasaray? Yes, an Italian one, in my opinion,” he said.
“It could also be fantasy, but since Juventus and Milan are interested, I think it is such an intelligent strategy.”
He also noted that the clause and Osimhen’s salary expectations—reportedly €15 million net—are beyond the reach of even many Premier League clubs, making the Galatasaray offer even more intriguing.
