Last summer, Napoli reportedly regretted accepting the €75 million transfer fee that Galatasaray paid to secure Nigerian international Victor Osimhen’s move. The transfer, one of the most drawn-out deals of the summer, saw George Gardi, the intermediary at the heart of the negotiations, reveal that he had to persuade Osimhen to join Galatasaray. Gardi also noted that Napoli might have been short-changed since other clubs had offered €10-15 million above the release clause.
Speaking to Football Italia, Gardi explained that Napoli initially tried to sell Osimhen to Premier League and Saudi Pro League teams but failed to close any deals. Faced with an unhappy player after a season-long loan to Galatasaray, Napoli was eager to finalize a move. “At the end of the summer transfer window, I contacted the Galatasaray coach and club to propose Osimhen, but they thought it was a joke,” Gardi told Sky Sports Deutschland. “Why would Osimhen, one of the world’s top strikers at 26, choose Galatasaray? And why would Napoli let him go?”
Gardi described how, in the final hours of the transfer window, contract details shifted, and with other deals falling through, he had a clear plan that he executed within a few hours. Osimhen had signed a new deal with Napoli that included a release clause around €110 million and a lucrative salary. Napoli had initially expected to sell him later, but Gardi convinced both the player and club to lower the release clause to €75 million and agreed to a one-year loan to Galatasaray.
The negotiation was tense, with issues cropping up at the airport as UEFA registration deadlines approached. Osimhen was uncertain about the move, but Gardi persuaded him to proceed, describing those hours as some of the most stressful of his career.
In hindsight, Gardi admits Napoli regretted their decisions as the €75 million release clause became a bargain, especially since the market had changed significantly by the following summer. “Napoli thought €75 million was a substantial fee, but many transfers afterward exceeded that amount,” he said.
He added that Osimhen had the option to join several top clubs, not all publicized, but ultimately chose Galatasaray. “Victor was determined to play for Gala, which greatly helped in the negotiations. The club made history by signing one of the world’s best strikers at his peak for €75 million.”
