Explained: Why Osimhen chose Galatasaray over Arsenal and Man United

Super Eagles and Napoli forward, Victor Osimhen, has completed a permanent move to Galatasaray after a long, drawn-out transfer saga, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 2023 CAF Player of the Year has been talked about for two consecutive seasons in relation to stepping up after his career at Naples.

Things haven't been rosy for Osimhen in the Serie A. The 26-year-old had to battle injuries in his first two seasons with Napoli before delivering his prime performance in his third league campaign for the Italians, winning the Scudetto, alongside the competition's golden boot.

While the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup winner has always harboured dreams of playing in the English Premier League, offers from England weren't forthcoming, and for the ones who came, no agreements were reached.

This from 2015! After Victor Osimhen had just won the U17 World Cup and the Golden Boot. It came to pass. https://t.co/XaAqjU2qat

— Lolade Adewuyi (@Jololade) May 13, 2025

Victor Osimhen's loan time at Galatasaray

Osimhen eventually joined Galatasaray on loan in September 2024 – a deal no one saw coming. However, Turkey was a breath of fresh air, something the striker himself testified to.

The former VfL Wolfsburg striker scored 37 goals and provided seven assists in 41 games for the Turkish Super Lig Champions. Additionally, he won the league's Golden Boot.

Many expected his brilliance in Turkey to eventually land him the big move to England, but it appears we all thought wrong. In hindsight, only Galatasaray and Al-Hilal really wanted Osimhen.

Why not Manchester United?

The Red Devils are in a complex financial situation. They dragged a Bryan Mbeumo deal for over three months before eventually getting it over the line.

It appears they'll need to let several players off their books before going after their summer targets. Meanwhile, Ruben Amorim is hell-bent on bringing in players who'll fit his tactical ideas. In reality, most of the players in the squad do not fit into this criterion.

For a player of Osimhen's calibre, this spells trouble. Having won titles with Napoli and Galatasaray, Manchester United do not pose a promising option for the ex-LOSC Lille man.

Additionally, not many of United's recruits in recent years have done well. Rasmus Hojlund, Joshua Zirkzee, and Romelu Lukaku are examples of promising players who had their lights dim at the Theatre of Dreams.

The three-time UEFA Champions League winners lost the Europa League final to a lacklustre Tottenham Hotspur side, and still have 90% of the squad that played that final.

The Red Devils simply haven't acted like a club hungry to return to their glory days; hence, Osimhen's hesitation to join such a club is understandable.

Yes, they've brought in Matheus Cunha alongside Mbeumo, but these players are stepping up to United, while it's the opposite for Osimhen, as Galatasaray will be playing in the UEFA Champions League next season.

All United have to compete for is local, and not many top players want to be ‘just' local Champions.

Should Osimhen have gone to Arsenal?

It appeared Mikel Arteta's side were more interested in one of Benjamin Sesko or Viktor Gyokeres, rather than Osimhen.

Would the Nigerian forward have been a perfect fit for the Gunners? Yes. Would they pose a better option than Manchester United? Also yes.

Osimhen's €75m release clause might have been a stumbling block for the Gunners, and with Napoli being difficult to deal with, Arsenal's chances of agreeing to include a sell-on clause in a possible deal would've been very low.

The Gunners are yet to sign a striker, although talks with Sporting Lisbon over a deal for Viktor Gyokeres are progressing.

While they finished higher than United on the EPL table last season, the Reds have won more trophies than Arsenal in the past five years, which might have been a turn-off for Osimhen as well.

Victor James Osimhen rejected 2 Top European clubs + The Saudis to return back to Galatasaray. He made it very clear to Napoli that he wants to return back to Turkiye.

– Same way he gave Galatasaray his word that he won’t leave in January 2025 when he was on Loan. He told them…

— Buchi Laba (@Buchi_Laba) July 20, 2025

Is Galatasaray Osimhen's best choice?

Ultimately, it was always going to be a choice between the Saudi Pro League and remaining in Europe.

Most of the European clubs were unwilling to meet Napoli's high demands, except Galatasaray, which went all out to honour their love for the Super Eagles forward.

The striker also previously mentioned his admiration for the love he's received from the Cim Bom Aslan fans in the past.

So, Osimhen might not have gotten a desired Premier League move, but an escape from Napoli means he's got another close shot at moving to England in the future, only if the interested clubs do not sign a striker this summer.

Chelsea have signed Liam Delap and Joao Pedro, while Liverpool are closing in on a deal to sign Hugo Ekitike.

✈️ Hugo Ekitike lands on Merseyside today ahead of medical tests on Tuesday as new Liverpool player.

6 year contract ready, as Ekitike only wanted #LFC despite Eintracht waiting for more clubs to join the race last week. pic.twitter.com/mKOrgiRLYW

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 21, 2025

Should Arsenal and Manchester United sort out their striking problems without Osimhen, it might be goodbye England forever.