Galatasaray star Osimhen slams Napoli ´lies´

Victor Osimhen revealed Napoli blocked a transfer to Juventus and reneged on a gentleman’s agreement as he explained his falling out with the Serie A club.

Osimhen helped Galatasaray beat Juve 5-2 in the Champions League on Tuesday, providing two assists.

Though the Nigeria striker claimed he could well have been lining up for the Bianconeri, had matters played out differently during his Napoli days.

Osimhen was integral as Napoli won the Scudetto in 2023. He signed a contract extension with the club later that year, though in 2024, he was loaned out to Galatasaray, whom he then joined permanently in 2025.

The 27-year-old claimed his contract extension with Napoli included a verbal agreement that he would be able to leave in the summer of 2024.

“We had a gentleman’s agreement according to which I could leave the following summer,” he said.

“But the commitment was not fully respected on the other side.

“They tried to send me anywhere to play, but they treated me like a dog. Go here, go there, do this, do that. I worked so hard to build my career, and I couldn’t accept that kind of treatment. I’m not a puppet.

“I could have been in two other top Serie A clubs today. Juve called before negotiations with Galatasaray began. I spoke with a couple of people from the club.

“They showed interest, but I knew that [Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis] wouldn’t let me leave. In any case, the interest was definitely there. And when Juventus call, regardless of everything, you sit down and listen.”

Otherworldly effort by Victor who had two assists, and unending energy pressing up all game long #GSJUVE pic.twitter.com/K82v5YZpK4

— Galatasaray EN (@Galatasaray) February 17, 2026

Osimhen was openly mocked by Napoli’s own social media account when he missed a penalty during his final season at the club, at which point there was no turning back.

He said: “Anyone can miss a penalty, and anyone can be mocked for it. Napoli did it only to me, and with certain kinds of insinuations as well. I was the victim of racist insults, and I made my decision.

“I wanted to leave. I deleted the photos of me wearing the Napoli shirt from my Instagram, and they took the opportunity to turn the fans against me. And to think that, for me, my daughter is more Neapolitan than Nigerian.

“No one ever publicly apologised for what happened. Meanwhile, rumours were going around that I arrived late at training, and that I argued with team-mates. They’re all lies. I’m sorry for the fans, but I understand and admire them: they support the club, no matter what. For them, Napoli comes before everything.”

Osimhen has scored 35 Super Lig goals for Galatasaray in 46 appearances, netting every 100 minutes on average.

He has netted six goals in seven Champions League appearances for the Turkish giants.