Victor Osimhen is set to join Galatasaray on a season-long loan.

Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has reacted to Victor Osimhen’s proposed season-long loan move to Galatasaray.

Osimhen, who was a target for Chelsea and Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli this summer, is on the verge of joining the Super Lig champions after he travelled to Istanbul to complete a medical.

Galatasaray have since confirmed their interest in the Nigerian forward, saying that official negotiations have begun with Napoli regarding the transfer.

Napoli, meanwhile, will extend Osimhen’s contract by a year until 2027 in order to protect his value, according to talkSPORT, but they intend on selling the player in 2025.

On Monday night, Fabrizio Romano confirmed that the striker was travelling to Istanbul ahead of his move to Galatasaray and to the surprise of some, Ilkay Gundogan was active in the comments’ section.

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Gundogan, who recently returned to Manchester City after a season-long stint at Barcelona, replied to Romano’s post on Instagram, saying: “Wow… crazy [shocked emoji].”

The midfielder grew up in Gelsenkirchen with Turkish parents.

Speaking to The Players Tribune in 2021, Gundogan confirmed his family are Galatasaray fans, except his mum, who is a Fenerbahce supporter.

“Whenever a Turkish team played in Europe, my family would stop whatever they were doing,” he recalled. “They would cheer on the team like their lives depended on it.

“I’ll never forget when Galatasaray won the UEFA Cup in 2000. We were all watching the final together, and when we beat Arsenal on penalties, my uncle Ilhan, who is six years older than me, actually broke down in tears.”

Image credit: Instagram/FabrizioRomano

As mentioned earlier, Osimhen was linked with Al Ahli and Chelsea in the summer. In fact, the Saudi Pro League side had a bid of £67.3 million accepted by Napoli but they instead decided to sign Ivan Toney from Brentford.

Galatasaray have now swooped, although Osimhen has asked for a break clause in his contract.

Turkish outlet A Spor claim the clause applies to a total of 10 specific clubs and if any of the unnamed teams submit an offer in January, he will therefore have permission to leave.

The player has also asked Napoli that his release clause be reduced from €130 million to €75 million.