Nigeria Players Abroad
Fortuna Sittard Chief Isitan Gun explains Galatasaray’s €75m gamble on Osimhen
By Dayo Awoniyi
The €75 million transfer of Nigeria star Victor Osimhen to Galatasaray has drawn mixed reactions, with some calling it a reckless gamble and others hailing it as a savvy investment.
The Nigerian striker’s record-breaking move from Napoli to the Super Lig champions has been labelled as both “insane” and “inspired” by Fortuna Sittard co-owner Isitan Gün, who provides a unique perspective on the landmark transfer.
Gün, a former board member of Galatasaray, now overseeing the Dutch Eredivisie club, believes that this €75 million deal is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Turkish football.
“I never see a transfer like this happening again in the Turkish league,” Gün told Voetbal Centraal. “€75 million is insane. It’s a one-off, I think.”
Osimhen’s permanent switch to Galatasaray follows a sensational loan spell last season, where he scored 37 goals in 41 appearances, playing a crucial role in Galatasaray’s third consecutive Super Lig title. The striker’s dynamic performances captured the attention of the football world, culminating in the record signing, which will be paid in two instalments.
Despite the astronomical figures, Gün believes there is method to what some might consider madness. “This transfer is also an investment,” he explained. “They assume his resale value will increase if he has another good season.”
While the €75 million fee seems excessive on paper, Galatasaray’s financial backing and the potential for further global success offer a level of assurance. Gün elaborated, “You could call it reckless, but the club is generating a significant profit worldwide from enormous shirt sales and the sporting momentum they currently have.”
Galatasaray’s dominance on the domestic front has led to a surge in global merchandise sales and new sponsorship deals, significantly boosting the club’s financial standing.
With Osimhen’s electric pace, power, and clinical finishing already capturing the hearts of Turkish fans, the club is confident that the investment will pay off in both sporting and commercial terms.
Even if Galatasaray does not progress far in the UEFA Champions League, Gün insists that the club will be able to absorb the financial risk.
“Even if they don’t make it far in the Champions League this year, they can still absorb this transfer financially,” he noted.
A key factor in Galatasaray’s confidence is their planned sale of a training complex—prime real estate in Istanbul—which could generate hundreds of millions of euros.
“The club doesn’t spend money it doesn’t have,” Gün emphasized. “Building land in Istanbul is almost unaffordable.”
For Osimhen, the move to Galatasaray means carrying the weight of both sporting expectation and commercial promise. With a four-year contract worth over €80 million in wages, the 26-year-old now has the task of continuing his explosive form, having previously won Serie A with Napoli and lit up the Super Lig during his loan spell.
The Galatasaray faithful are already showing their enthusiasm, with fans lining up to purchase Osimhen’s new jerseys, eager to see their star striker deliver both glory on the pitch and gold in the club’s coffers.
As the striker embarks on this new chapter, his every goal and contribution will carry significant weight—not just for his club’s ambitions but for its future financial stability and growth.
