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Victor Osimhen's Galatasaray plot controversial swoop for Super Eagles defender Bright Osayi-Samuel amid contract dispute with Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce.
Turkish football has been rocked by allegations of illegal transfer approaches as Victor Osimhen's Galatasaray face accusations of attempting to poach Super Eagles star Bright Osayi-Samuel from rivals Fenerbahce.
The controversy centres around a reported €2.5 million offer made to Osayi-Samuel, despite the player having more than six months remaining on his current contract - a clear violation of transfer regulations.
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The allegations come amid an ongoing contract dispute between Osayi-Samuel and Fenerbahce, where the 26-year-old defender has established himself as a key figure since his arrival from Queens Park Rangers in January 2021.
According to a Pulse Sports report, negotiations have reached an impasse with Fenerbahce offering €2.5 million annually (approximately €48,000 per week), falling short of the player's €3.5 million (€70,000 weekly) demands.
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Galatasaray's alleged approach, which would see Osayi-Samuel link up with Nigerian teammate Osimhen, has been labeled "unethical" by sources close to the situation.
“Osayi Samuel wants 2.5 M € . The English are not giving it, so Galatasaray is tampering with the player, which is Galatasaray’s favourite thing,” the source stated per Depar Sports. “It is an unethical situation because there are more than 6 months left on the contract.”
The timing of the approach is particularly controversial given that direct negotiations with players who have more than six months remaining on their contracts are prohibited under transfer regulations.
The situation has also attracted interests from the Premier League, who are reportedly monitoring developments with a view to bringing the defender back to England.
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This growing interest has put additional pressure on Fenerbahce, who must now decide whether to increase their offer or risk losing their prized asset.
Osayi-Samuel's importance to Jose Mourinho and Fenerbahce cannot be understated, having played a crucial role in their second-place finish in the Turkish Super Lig last season.
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The Yellow Canaries are desperate to retain his services but may be forced to sell in January to avoid losing him for free next summer.
This latest controversy adds another chapter to the fierce rivalry between Istanbul's giants, with Galatasaray's alleged "tampering" threatening to escalate tensions further.
The situation could have broader implications for Turkish football, potentially leading to stricter enforcement of transfer regulations and a review of how clubs approach contract negotiations with rivals' players.
For now, Mourinho’s Fenerbahce face a crucial decision: meet Osayi-Samuel's salary demands, sell him in January, or risk watching him potentially join their bitter rivals for free at the season's end - a scenario that would add further fuel to one of Turkish football's most heated rivalries.
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