Turkish Reports Claim Galatasaray Owe Osimhen, Others Salaries

Fresh reports in the Turkish media have raised questions about Galatasaray’s financial stability, with allegations surfacing that the club has fallen behind on salary payments for several key players, including Nigerian superstar Victor Osimhen.

According to a report from the daily newspaper Hürriyet, some members of the squad have not received their wages for the past two to three months. This news comes at a tense time for the club, following a surprising 2-0 away defeat to Konyaspor over the weekend, a stark contrast to their emphatic 5-2 victory over Juventus just days prior.

The report specifically claims that Osimhen, who commands a staggering €15 million net per year—making him the highest-paid player in the Turkish Super Lig—has yet to receive his salary for January and February.

The timing of the report has led to speculation regarding team selection and player morale. Osimhen was excused from the Konyaspor match due to a knee issue. Hürriyet suggests the striker is being cautious with his fitness ahead of the crucial UEFA Champions League knockout play-off second leg against Juventus in Turin, rather than risking further injury.

While the wage report paints a picture of financial strain, sources close to the club in Istanbul have vehemently denied any unrest, insisting that Osimhen remains fully committed to the team.

Several Turkish journalists and club insiders have moved to refute the claims, arguing that the narrative of an unhappy or unpaid star is baseless. Arda Özkurt, a club insider, dismissed the speculation entirely via X (formerly Twitter), stating: “All the news regarding Victor Osimhen—that he’s not getting paid or is unhappy—is completely baseless. Osimhen is happy at Galatasaray, there’s no issue whatsoever.”

Nevzat Dindar specifically addressed rumours that Osimhen had sent a formal warning letter to the club, calling the claim “absolutely untrue.” He noted that players arriving from abroad are often accustomed to the legal framework in Turkey, which allows for delays of up to three months, and are generally understanding of such timing.

Erdem Açıkgöz provided further context on the financial arrangements, revealing that Osimhen has already received his full €6 million image rights income from advertising revenue.

He added that the arrangement is mutually beneficial, with Galatasaray also receiving a share of any advertising revenue that exceeds that threshold. “In short, there is no extraordinary problem at all,” Açıkgöz concluded.

Despite the denials, the reports have put a spotlight on Galatasaray’s substantial wage structure.

Osimhen’s €15m net salary leads the league, followed closely by Fenerbahce goalkeeper Ederson (€11m). Teammates like Leroy Sané (€9m) and Mauro Icardi (€6m) also feature among the league’s top earners.

Head coach Okan Buruk recently acknowledged the escalating financial commitment, hinting at the challenge of managing such a high-profile squad. “Galatasaray’s transfer fees and salaries have been going up since last year. With Osimhen’s transfer fee and salary, you could probably put together a full team,” Buruk admitted via the club’s official website. “You need to follow that budget closely.”

Osimhen returned to training on Monday as the squad prepares for their pivotal Champions League clash with Juventus on Wednesday.