Former Fenerbahce board member Hakan Safi has opened up on how the Turkish giants missed the opportunity to sign Victor Osimhen, revealing he was personally prepared to finance the blockbuster transfer before the move was eventually blocked internally.
The revelation has added fresh controversy to Fenerbahce’s recent transfer history following another season in which rivals Galatasaray dominated the Turkish football scene.
Osimhen, who arrived in Turkey two years ago, quickly established himself as one of the biggest stars in the Süper Lig. During his initial loan spell, the Super Eagles striker became the driving force behind Galatasaray’s historic domestic double, helping the Istanbul giants secure both the league title and the Turkish Cup.
His performances immediately attracted major European interest, with clubs such as Chelsea, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich all linked with the Nigerian forward during last summer’s transfer window.
READMORE: Revealed: NPFL send two trophies to Lagos, Port Harcourt as Rangers, Rivers United battle for title
While Galatasaray eventually succeeded in keeping the striker permanently, reports at the time suggested fierce rivals Fenerbahce also explored the possibility of hijacking the deal.
Safi has now confirmed those reports, disclosing that he was willing to go to extraordinary lengths to bring Osimhen to the Yellow Canaries.
“I was ready to sign Osimhen,” Safi said, according to Galatasaray Gazetesi.
“Galatasaray split his transfer fee into four installments, but I was prepared to pay that entire amount in one go.
“However, the Fenerbahce management at the time didn’t want the deal. I was even prepared to offer him a net salary of €26 million.”
The comments have intensified frustrations among sections of the Fenerbahce support, especially after Galatasaray once again finished ahead of their bitter rivals in the title race.
Osimhen’s impact for the Cimbom has only strengthened the feeling that Fenerbahce missed a transformational signing.
The Nigerian striker enjoyed another outstanding campaign, scoring 22 goals and providing eight assists in 33 appearances across all competitions during the just concluded season.
Several of those contributions came at defining moments in the title run-in, including a crucial strike in the heated Istanbul derby against Fenerbahce and the winning goal against Antalyaspor that ultimately sealed the league crown for Galatasaray.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN ATHLETIC NG WHATSAPP CHANNEL NOW!
The failed pursuit of Osimhen comes amid growing criticism of Fenerbahce’s transfer operations, with recent reports also claiming the club narrowly missed out on signing another Nigerian star, Ademola Lookman, because of administrative complications.
