Amuneke backs Osimhen Galatasaray’s stay

Former Super Eagles star Emmanuel Amuneke, has backed Victor Osimhen’s decision to remain at Galatasaray.

The Nigerian striker, currently on loan at the Turkish club from Napoli, turned down approaches from Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea to honour his commitment to Galatasaray.

“I think he made the right decision to stay at Galatasaray during the winter transfer window and not rush into transfers, despite multiple interests,” Amuneke told Africafoot in an exclusive interview.

“He has been massively welcomed and appreciated in Turkey, and it is only important that he thanks them with gratitude. He was able to regain his full potential, and all this is due to the fact that he was given a chance when he quarrelled with the people of Naples.”

Osimhen joined the Turkish giants on loan last summer without an option to buy following a fallout with the Napoli hierarchy, which also saw him walk away from potential moves to Chelsea and Saudi Arabia due to personal terms.

Despite having a clause in his loan agreement that allowed for a January exit, the 26-year-old chose to stay put, keeping the promise he had made to Galatasaray after scoring a brace against Tottenham in the Europa League last November.

“I will not leave in January; I am at Galatasaray until the end of the season. I do not know what Galatasaray and Napoli are talking about afterwards, but if they come to me, we will talk,” he said.

The Super Eagles forward has been firing on all cylinders for the unbeaten Turkish league leaders. He has netted 12 goals with four assists in 16 league games, while also contributing five goals and one assist in six Europa League appearances.

Galatasaray’s technical director, Okan Buruk, had previously confirmed the existence of the January exit clause but emphasised the player’s commitment to staying.

“There is a clause there, but it doesn’t matter; he said he will stay. There is a clause about transfers in January. This clause has different things,” Buruk said in November 2024.

Meanwhile, Napoli have rejected a €65m bid from Galatasaray for a permanent deal, with club president Aurelio De Laurentiis insisting on the full €75m release clause.

The Turkish giants currently lead the Super Lig with 57 points, six ahead of second-placed Fenerbahce, and are set to face Dutch side AZ Alkmaar in the UEFA Europa League playoffs.