Reports in Turkey have raised concerns about alleged salary delays at Galatasaray S.K., including claims involving Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, although sources close to the club insist the forward remains content in Istanbul.
Turkish daily Hürriyet reported that several players have not been paid for the past two to three months amid suggestions that the club’s growing wage bill has created financial strain. The report surfaced shortly after Galatasaray’s mixed run of results, which saw them record a 5–2 home victory over Juventus FC before suffering a 2–0 away defeat to Konyaspor.
According to the newspaper, Osimhen, who reportedly earns €15m net per year, has yet to receive his January and February salaries. The striker is currently the highest paid player in the Turkish Super Lig. Fenerbahçe S.K. goalkeeper Ederson is said to earn €11m, while Galatasaray winger Leroy Sané earns €9m. Fenerbahçe defender Milan Škriniar and former Real Madrid CF forward Marco Asensio reportedly earn €8m, with Mauro Icardi on €6m among the league’s top earners.
Osimhen missed the defeat to Konyaspor due to a knee problem but is expected to travel for the 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 report added.
Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk recently addressed the club’s rising financial commitments, acknowledging the increase in transfer fees and salaries over the past year.
“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 said via the club’s official website.
“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.”
Despite the reports, club insiders have strongly dismissed suggestions of unpaid wages or unrest within the squad. Insider Arda Özkurt stated via X that the claims were unfounded.
“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,” he said.
