Victor Osimhen next club odds: A change of scenery for the Nigerian?

Before the end of the summer 2024 transfer window, the Victor Osimhen next club odds market implied that he was only going one place if anywhere – namely Stamford Bridge.

Instead, the Nigerian made a shock loan move to Galatasaray, which worked out fine for both sides. However, Osimhen's good performances in Turkey are also the reason why the young forward remains one of the hottest properties in Europe, with an array of top clubs on the lookout for a high-class hitman.

In this article, we’ll look at why he joined Galatasaray, how he fared there, and what Victor Osimhen's next club odds are.

Why did Osimhen join Galatasaray?

With Napoli finishing a lowly 10th in Serie A in the 2023-24 season and missing out on European football, a permanent move away from Napoli has always seemed inevitable. Going into the final week of the latest summer transfer window, Osimhen was 3/1 to remain at Napoli beyond August.

Yet, despite playing in a team struggling for form, Osimhen still managed 18 goals for club and country that season. That only added to the sense of bewilderment when he signed for Galatasaray on loan, though it was in fact the endgame to a chain of events that began way back in December 2023.

According to BBC Sport reporter Nizaar Kinsella, Osimhen wanted to leave but accepted a contract renewal which doubled the existing £100,000 a week that he earned. However, there was also a £113m release clause – the only amount that club president Aurelio de Laurentiis was prepared to accept during the last two transfer windows.

With that cost representing too much of a gamble even for Europe’s traditional giants, Osimhen’s options were limited. Only Chelsea, via the sale of Romelu Lukaku to Napoli, had any real hope of lowering the price tag, but the wage demands proved too much.

Osimhen was therefore left in limbo, and with Lukaku going to Napoli and the Turkish transfer window being the only one still open in Europe, Osimhen joined Galatasaray.

How did Victor Osimhen do in Galatasaray?

While there were some questions about Osimhen's ability to stay at the top of his game after all that transpired last transfer window, the Nigerian forward quickly dispelled any doubts.

He helped Galatasaray win the league with 26 goals in 30 appearances, but he was also instrumental in Galata's win in the Turkish Cup final against Trabzonspor, in which he scored a brace.

All in all, Osimhen scored 37 goals in 41 appearances for Galatasaray across all competitions, setting a record for most goals scored in a single season by a foreign player in Turkey.

With that in mind, it's hardly surprising that he's once again a hot commodity this summer and that many clubs are interested in his services, including Galatasaray.

Victor Osimhen next club odds – our latest betting tips

Galatasaray

The shortest odds are on Galatasaray to once again be Osimhen's next club. The Turkish champions are certainly interested in keeping the Nigerian striker, but we can't see this deal happening, at least not on a permanent basis.

First of all, Napoli have set a high asking price for Osimhen, one that Galatasaray would struggle to pay. Secondly, Galatasaray can't offer Osimhen the wages that he's asking for.

That being said, if all other options fall through once again, like last summer, we could see Osimhen go back to Turkey on another loan.

Any Saudi Arabian team

Probably the most likely outcome is for Osimhen to go to Saudi Arabia. Last summer, he reportedly agreed to personal terms with Al Ahli, but Napoli changed their asking price at the last moment and the deal fell through.

This time around, Al Hilal leads the race and they are prepared to splash the cash. The reports vary, but by some accounts, Al Hilal have already reached an agreement with Osimhen after he rejected their initial offer.

If this is true, all that remains is for Napoli to accept Al Hilal's bid, which might mean that Al Hilal will have to activate Osimhen's release clause of €75m. Al Hilal have reportedly bid close to that, but Napoli are standing firm on wanting the full sum.

All in all, at even odds, this would be our pick for Victor Osimhen's next club.

Chelsea

The Blues were close to signing Osimhen last season, but the transfer didn't go through because of Osimhen's wage demands. We can't see that changing this summer, but perhaps Chelsea would be willing to accept the forward's conditions now, with Champions League money coming their way next season.

After all, the best scorer of all Chelsea's forwards in the Premier League was Nicolas Jackson with just 10 goals, so they would certainly welcome Osimhen, but the move does seem unlikely, as the odds indicate.

Arsenal

The Gunners are another team who badly need an out-and-striker as they bid to finally grab the Premier League crown. After all, no Arsenal player has reached double-digit goals in the Premier League last season and that was probably their undoing in the title race.

That being said, the Gunners seem focused on other players this summer, including forwards like Benjamin Sesko, so Osimhen likely won't be going to Arsenal.

Napoli

The possibility of Osimhen going back to Napoli seems even less likely this season after Napoli won the title in Serie A without him.

Still, that could certainly happen if Osimhen's performances in Turkey convinced Napoli that they could still use his services, but it is, as we said, highly unlikely.

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