The financial sustainability of high-profile football transfers in Turkey has come under scrutiny following Victor Osimhen’s record-breaking €75 million move to Galatasaray. Umit Ozat, a revered figure at rival club Fenerbahçe, has publicly questioned whether such expenditures align with the broader economic realities facing Turkish football and the nation.
Osimhen, a Nigerian striker formerly with Napoli, became the most expensive signing in Turkish football history after completing the transfer earlier this month. While acknowledging the player’s caliber, Ozat emphasized the disparity between the deal’s eye-watering cost and the financial limitations of domestic clubs. In an interview with SkySpor’s YouTube channel, he praised Galatasaray’s ambition but cautioned against a trend he deems fiscally reckless. “Galatasaray did a great job securing a player of Osimhen’s quality,” he said. “However, the price tag far exceeds what our clubs can sustainably manage. I’d raise the same concerns if Fenerbahçe attempted such a deal.”
The remarks highlight growing unease over the financial strategies of Turkey’s top-tier clubs, which have increasingly pursued marquee signings despite macroeconomic challenges, including high inflation and currency depreciation. While Osimhen’s arrival signals Galatasaray’s intent to compete globally, critics argue such investments risk destabilizing club finances, particularly without proportional revenue streams. Ozat stressed that the transfer “is not a critique of Osimhen himself,” whom he described as “a valuable, high-quality player,” but rather a reflection on the economic feasibility for Turkish institutions.
Turkey’s Süper Lig clubs have drawn attention in recent years for aggressive spending, with Galatasaray’s previous record deal—the €20 million signing of Mauro Icardi in 2023—now dwarfed by the Osimhen transaction. Analysts note that while top European leagues often offset hefty transfer fees through lucrative broadcasting and commercial deals, Turkish clubs operate within a more constrained financial ecosystem. This raises questions about long-term sustainability, especially if multiple teams engage in bidding wars for elite talent.
The debate also underscores the tension between sporting ambition and fiscal prudence in emerging football markets. For now, Galatasaray’s supporters are celebrating a landmark acquisition, but Ozat’s warning serves as a reminder that record-breaking deals carry risks beyond the pitch. As Turkish football seeks to elevate its global profile, the balance between investment and stability remains a pressing concern for clubs navigating an unpredictable economic landscape.
