Galatasaray Faces Internal Tension Over Unpaid Salaries to Osimhen and Teammates
Turkish football powerhouse Galatasaray is reportedly grappling with significant internal turmoil after falling behind on salary payments to several first-team players, including Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen. According to reports from the Turkish daily newspaper Hürriyet, the club's bloated wage bill has led to delays, with some players not receiving their wages for the past two to three months.
Financial Strain and Team Performance
The issue has surfaced amid mixed results on the pitch. After a stunning 5–2 home victory over Juventus last week, Galatasaray suffered a disappointing 2–0 away loss to Konyaspor over the weekend, sparking questions about team selection and morale. Osimhen, who is on a lucrative contract worth €15 million net per year, has reportedly not received his January and February salaries. He was excused from the Konyaspor match due to a knee problem but is expected to travel for the crucial UEFA Champions League knockout play-off second leg against Juventus in Turin.
"Osimhen is said to have been reluctant to take any risks, especially considering the return match against Juventus," the Hürriyet report noted, highlighting potential concerns over player fitness and commitment amid the payment delays.
Osimhen's High Salary and League Comparisons
Victor Osimhen stands as the highest-paid player in the Turkish Super Lig, with his €15 million net salary placing him ahead of other top earners. Fenerbahce goalkeeper Ederson follows with €11 million, while Galatasaray teammate Leroy Sané earns €9 million. Other notable high earners include Fenerbahce's Milan Škriniar and former Real Madrid forward Marco Asensio at €8 million each, and Mauro Icardi at €6 million.
Coach's Warning on Rising Costs
Galatasaray's head coach, Okan Buruk, recently addressed the club's escalating financial commitments, pointing to a steady increase in spending on transfer fees and salaries since last year. Speaking via the club's official website, Buruk emphasized the need for budgetary discipline.
"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 stated. "We need to take these things into account. We brought in some very important players for the team, such as Singo, Uğurcan, Sané, and İlkay. Every team has a budget, and when you set up budgets at the start of the season, you need to follow that budget closely."
Club Insiders Deny Claims
Despite the reports, Galatasaray insiders have moved to quell the controversy, denying any issues with salary payments. Insider Arda Özkurt took to social media platform X to refute the claims, insisting that Osimhen is content at the club.
"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," Özkurt asserted.
The situation highlights the broader challenges faced by top football clubs in managing financial sustainability while competing at the highest levels, with Galatasaray's case drawing particular attention due to the involvement of high-profile players like Osimhen.
