The possibility of Victor Osimhen wearing the black and white Juventus jersey has recently become a “what if” for Bianconeri fans.
However, any hopes of a sensational return for the Nigerian striker to Serie A have been dashed by harsh financial reality.
It has been revealed that Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis pulled off a clever contractual move when he approved the striker’s transfer to Galatasaray, inserting a secret “anti-Italy” clause that virtually closes the door on a transfer to their local rivals.
When the Turkish Super Lig giants secured the services of the former Lille player for €75 million last summer, the Neapolitans made sure to retain control over his future within Italian territory, La Gazzetta dello Sport reported.
The specific clause, designed to discourage Juventus and any other Italian club, stipulates that if Galatasaray were to sell the striker to a Serie A team, they would be forced to pay Napoli an additional penalty of 70 million euros.
This “anti-Italy” protection remains active for 24 months, making it practically impossible for Osimhen to return to the Italian championship before September 1, 2027.
Despite this major setback, there is a small “gray area” that could offer a glimmer of hope. To avoid the penalty for Galatasaray, a club like Juventus could negotiate directly with Napoli for a special financial agreement.
However, even if this scenario were to be considered, Osimhen’s astronomical salary poses another almost insurmountable obstacle.
The striker currently earns a fixed salary of 15 million euros per season, while with performance-related bonuses, his annual income could reach up to 21 million euros net.