Pierpaolo Marino, the former sporting director of Napoli, has expressed skepticism about Serie A teams meeting the €75 million release clause set for Victor Osimhen — a figure mainly aimed at foreign buyers.
During an interview with RAI 2, Marino highlighted that the hefty valuation attached to the Nigerian striker reflects his international reputation but suggested that only clubs outside Italy are likely to afford such a price.
“The clause mirrors Osimhen’s standing on the world stage. He’s a rare talent capable of turning a struggling squad into champions,” Marino commented.
He also questioned rumors linking Galatasaray to Osimhen’s transfer, hinting that the Turkish side might serve as an intermediary for a future move to a top Italian club.
“My worry is this: Turkish teams are known for offering lucrative salaries but seldom shell out large sums to acquire players. Reports say Galatasaray could trigger Osimhen’s release clause,” he noted.
“If that’s true, could it be a tactic to circumvent Serie A restrictions and bring him to Italy next season at a price set for foreign clubs? It’s a plausible theory.
“I’m interested to see where he lands after a year. Might there be an Italian club pulling the strings behind Galatasaray? I believe so. It sounds a bit unlikely, but with the likes of Juventus and Milan reportedly keen, it could be a clever move.”