The future of Victor Osimhen is nearing a dramatic conclusion as top clubs across Europe and the Middle East continue to battle for his signature, with time running out and speculation growing by the day.

Osimhen, who is currently on holiday and expected to return to Napoli next week following the expiration of his highly successful loan spell at Galatasaray, remains the subject of intense interest from both the Turkish champions and Saudi giants Al Hilal.

But the saga has taken a fresh turn after the Nigerian striker reportedly expressed a strong preference to remain in Istanbul, where he scored 37 goals in 41 games last season.

Sources close to the player confirmed he has made his stance known.

“Victor James Osimhen says YES to Galatasaray and wants to continue with the Turkish team,” said Nigerian journalist and insider Onyebuchi Onokala on Monday.

“Napoli for weeks have been pleading with Victor Osimhen to stay. Osimhen has made it very, very clear that he wants to leave. Galatasaray and Napoli are currently in negotiations for the payment of his release clause.”

Fabrizio Romano also added on Monday that Galatasaray have made an opening offer of €50m plus €5m in add-ons for the 25-year-old, although Napoli are holding out for a fee closer to the €75m release clause stated in his contract.

Negotiations between the clubs remain ongoing, with both sides, including Al Hilal, reportedly keen to reach a resolution before the end of the month.

While Galatasaray push for a permanent deal, Napoli are still exploring ways to salvage their relationship with the Nigerian international.

According to Il Mattino, the Serie A club have reopened lines of communication with Osimhen in recent days, and coach Antonio Conte is reportedly now open to reintegrating him into the squad.

The newspaper added, “Osimhen is still on holiday, but in the last three days Napoli have made contact with him. The idea of him playing again for Napoli is now being discussed within the club.”

Despite Conte’s change of heart, Osimhen’s desire for a fresh start appears firm, especially following his fallout with the club last summer.

Napoli vice president Abdullah Kavukcu has also hinted as far back as March that Galatasaray could struggle to keep the striker permanently.

“At the moment, five of the world’s top clubs are interested in him,” Kavukcu told Sport Mediaset.

“He loves Galatasaray very much. His stay is not as impossible as it may seem, but we’ve not had direct discussions with Victor yet.”

Meanwhile, Saudi powerhouse Al Hilal have not given up on the race. The Pro League side, who failed to defend their domestic title last season and were knocked out of the Club World Cup by Fluminense, are actively rebuilding their squad and see Osimhen as a marquee signing.

French outlet L’Équipe reported that Al Hilal have renewed transfer talks with Napoli and remain ready to trigger the €75m clause, but still lacks personal agreement with the player.

“Al Hilal remain involved in the race with a plan to pay the €75m clause but no agreement with Victor yet,” L’Équipe noted in their latest update.

The Saudi side are also preparing contingencies, with Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic, Fenerbahçe’s Youssef En-Nesyri and Al-Qadsiah’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang listed as alternatives.

Osimhen’s stance appears unshaken. According to Corriere dello Sport, the striker has definitively ruled out a move to the Premier League despite interest from Manchester United and Liverpool. He has instead prioritised a return to Galatasaray, where he is guaranteed Champions League football and a starring role.

Transfer insider Rudy Galetti corroborated the report, writing on June 14 that “United were far behind in the race” and that “Liverpool backed off after exploring a three-way deal involving Darwin Nunez and Federico Chiesa.”

Napoli’s desire to use Osimhen in those negotiations fizzled, leaving the player with limited top-level options. Juventus, another of his rumoured suitors, moved on to sign Jonathan David on a free transfer.

All these developments leave Osimhen at a crossroads, with the world watching and Napoli waiting. He is expected to be called up when the Serie A champions resume pre-season training on July 15, should no deal materialise by then.