'If he hadn't fought' – Ex-Besiktas star claims Osimhen-Napoli fallout changed Galatasaray's season

Former Beşiktaş star Selim Soydan has suggested that the course of the Süper Lig season might have been altered by Victor Osimhen’s dispute with Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis just before the close of the transfer window'

According to Soydan, if the Nigerian striker had not clashed with the Napoli hierarchy 48 hours before the end of the window, the title race in Turkey could have played out differently.

"If Victor Osimhen had not had a fight with the Napoli president 48 hours before the end of the transfer window, perhaps we would have talked about different things this season," Telegol commentator Selim Soydan said, via habersarikirmizi.com.

Although Galatasaray were not officially linked with Osimhen, Soydan’s remarks have led to speculation that the club might have considered making a move for the Napoli forward last summer.

With both Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe locked in a fierce battle for the league title, the inclusion of a player of Osimhen’s caliber could prove decisive.

Osimhen, one of Europe’s most sought-after strikers, was instrumental in Napoli’s Serie A triumph in the 2022–23 season.

His dynamic style, physicality, and consistent goal scoring have drawn interest from several top clubs.

However, his relationship with Napoli became strained due to contract issues and other internal matters, culminating in the last-minute dispute that halted any possible move to Al-Ahli or Chelsea.

Soydan believes that the timing of that disagreement significantly impacted Galatasaray’s campaign.

In his view, the trajectory of the title race might have shifted had Osimhen left Napoli before the window closed in the major European leagues.

The Turkish title battle remains one of the most tightly contested in recent years, with Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe battling to be champions.

While the season is far from over, Soydan’s comments have added an intriguing twist to discussions around what might have been had Osimhen’s situation in Italy unfolded differently.

Wale Adejumo

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