Galatasaray president Durzan Özbek has confirmed that Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen does not have a release clause in his contract with the Turkish Super Lig champions.
Speaking during a sponsorship press conference on Friday, Özbek dismissed rumours suggesting that the 25-year-old’s deal contained a fixed buyout clause, insisting that the club maintains full control over the player’s future.
“Osimhen’s contract doesn’t include an exit clause,” Özbek stated. “He’s an extremely successful player who will serve Galatasaray for many years to come.”
The Turkish champions secured Osimhen’s signature from Italian side Napoli this summer after activating his €75 million release clause during the transfer window. The Nigerian had previously spent the 2024/25 season on loan at the RAMS Park, where his impressive performances convinced Galatasaray to make the move permanent.
Osimhen’s arrival marked one of the most expensive transfers in Turkish football history, sparking widespread debate over the financial wisdom of the deal. However, Özbek defended the club’s decision, insisting that the fee now appears to be a bargain given Osimhen’s market value and impact on the pitch.
“Perhaps on the day of our transfer, there was talk that the amount was high,” he explained. “But today, the prevailing opinion in the football community is that the transfer fee was low and the player’s value is much higher.”
The Nigeria international has already made an instant impact since his return to Istanbul, scoring crucial goals in both the domestic league and the Champions League group stages. His combination of pace, power, and finishing ability has made him a fan favourite and a central figure in Okan Buruk’s attacking setup.
Galatasaray, who are chasing back-to-back league titles, see Osimhen as a long-term investment capable of driving the club to European success. Özbek stressed that transparency and compliance remain at the heart of Galatasaray’s operations, particularly when handling major transfers.
“Transparency is crucial in transfers at Galatasaray,” he added. “Every player contract is extremely transparent and compliant with the federation, UEFA, and FIFA. While we ensure all regulations are followed, we also assess our financial structure carefully.”
The club president highlighted that the acquisition of Osimhen fits within Galatasaray’s broader sporting and financial strategy, combining ambition on the pitch with fiscal responsibility off it. “We see the results of this both on the field and in our financial structure. Our march to success will continue unchanged,” Özbek concluded confidently.
Osimhen’s move to Turkey came after a turbulent spell at Napoli, where his relationship with club management reportedly soured amid contract disputes and a failed renewal. Despite that, he left Italy as one of Serie A’s most prolific strikers, having scored 65 goals in 112 appearances and helping Napoli to the 2022/23 Scudetto — their first in over three decades.
Since joining Galatasaray permanently, the Nigerian has rediscovered his scoring touch and remains one of Africa’s most high-profile footballers. His strong performances have reignited speculation linking him with a potential move to the Premier League or back to Serie A in the future.
However, Özbek’s latest comments appear to end any talk of an imminent transfer, at least for now. Without a release clause in his deal, any club interested in signing Osimhen would have to negotiate directly with Galatasaray, who are unlikely to sell one of their most valuable assets anytime soon.
With his form improving and his influence growing, Osimhen looks set to remain a central figure in Galatasaray’s quest for domestic dominance and European relevance.
