Galatasaray provide fresh twist in Victor Osimhen transfer saga

Galatasaray have thrown a spanner in the works for the Premier League clubs that have been tracking Napoli striker Victor Osimhen by pledging their desire to keep hold of the Nigeria international beyond this season.

A new striker is on the summer wishlist for Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea, with a host of options linked with each of them, and plenty of overlapping.

Osimhen is on the market after a souring in his relationship with Napoli last summer led to a season-long loan with Galatasaray, which will shortly come to an end.

"Galatasaray will always be in my heart," he told NTV. "There are always rumours about me, I think about the present. I am enjoying this moment; the fans always support me. At the right time, the best decision for everyone will be made."

Osimhen had already previously confirmed that he will decide his future when the season ends.

But while it is the four Premier League clubs who have been regularly mentioned in conjunction with the 26-year-old, Galatasaray have now confirmed they are not out of contention. Vice-president Ibrahim Hatipoglu is stressing that Osimhen's words, which have been interpreted as a farewell to the Istanbul giants are not actually that at all.

"His words don't mean he's leaving," Hatipoglu told AS. "He said that even if he left in the worst-case scenario, Galatasaray would always be in his heart. But he didn't say he's leaving. We want him to stay with us."

It is reported that Galatasaray are prepared to meet the "necessary financial conditions" to keep Osimhen, whose release clause with Napoli has fallen to €75m (£65m).

AS adds that Barcelona and Juventus have also now started to take "significant interest". The Serie A side were recently named as one of Osimhen's preferred landing spots alongside a switch to the Premier League.

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