Victor Osimhen found himself at the center of an unexpected financial issue in Turkey after receiving an official legal warning over unpaid income taxes, Soccernet.ng understands.
The Super Eagles forward, who is preparing for the new season, could have landed in a big bank trouble but his club Galatasaray reportedly stepped in and resolved the matter immediately.
According to reports from Turkey's Milliyet, a local bank issued an ihtarname, a formal legal warning notice, to the Nigeria international after taxes linked to his earnings had not been paid. The notice was sent directly to Osimhen despite the Nigerian star not being personally responsible for settling the tax under the terms of his contract.
After receiving the warning, Osimhen quickly informed Galatasaray's management. Club officials then moved to pay the outstanding tax bill, bringing the matter to a swift conclusion before it could develop into a larger legal dispute.
The incident also revealed an important detail about Galatasaray's agreements with some of their biggest stars. Under the club's contracts, Galatasaray, not the players, takes responsibility for paying income taxes on behalf of players such as Osimhen.
This development surfaces even as reports claim that the Super Lig champions had been struggling financially and had even issued bad checks to members of the squad.
However, Galatasaray reacted strongly to those claims. Club officials insisted that no player had received a bounced check and dismissed the rumours as false. The club maintained that the tax issue resulted from an administrative delay rather than a failure to meet contractual obligations.
It would delight Osimhen, Turkish Süper Lig's record signing, that the issue was resolved without affecting his availability for the new season. The former Napoli forward was a second-half substitute as Galatasaray were humbled 2-0 by Serie A newboys Monza on Friday night.
Osimhen: Galatasaray's finances remain under scrutiny
Still, the tax incident could again draw attention to Galatasaray's financial model, which supports arguably the most expensive squad in Turkish football. The Istanbul giants reportedly operate with an annual wage bill estimated between €96.6 million and €103.4 million, placing them comfortably among the biggest spenders in the country.
Osimhen sits at the top of that payroll, earning a reported €15 million net per season, or around €360,577 every week. Former Bayern Munich winger Leroy Sané also take home a reported €9 million net annual salary, meaning a handful of elite players consume a significant share of Galatasaray's wage budget.
Earlier this year, Turkish media reported that several players, including Osimhen, experienced delays in receiving some salary payments. Those reports fueled suggestions that the club was battling cash-flow problems.
Galatasaray President Dursun Özbek rejected those accusations, insisting the club had “not defaulted on a single lira.” The club argued that payment schedules in Turkish football often include grace periods of between 30 and 90 days, which local clubs consider normal financial management rather than evidence of a crisis.
Another key part of Galatasaray's strategy is its reliance on sponsorships and private investment. Rather than depending only on ticket sales, broadcasting income and merchandise, the club also receives significant backing from corporate sponsors and wealthy business figures. Turkey's relatively low athlete tax rate, compared with several major European leagues, also helps clubs structure high-value contracts.
Osimhen, though, could still leave Galatasaray this summer as he tops the wishlist of a number of top European clubs including Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, PSG and Chelsea. However, the Super Eagles striker is evidently happy in Istanbul where he is a fan favourite and a club icon on and off the pitch.
