In a move that could redefine the Serie A title race and ignite the fiercest transfer war of the summer, Inter Milan head coach Cristian Chivu has officially requested that the club activate the £50 million release clause of striker Victor — a player currently on the radar of arch-rivals Juventus. Osimhen, who is currently on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli, has stunned the football world with his performances last season and proving his elite status on the world stage.
Now, with two of Italy’s biggest clubs circling, the stage is set for a summer showdown.
Victor Osimhen’s journey over the past 12 months has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. After a prolific 2022–23 season where he fired Napoli to a historic Serie A title, the Nigerian forward endured a tense contract standoff with the club. Despite eventually signing a new deal, internal tensions reportedly persisted. In a surprise twist, he was loaned to Turkish giants Galatasaray in January 2025, a move seen as temporary while Napoli awaited a permanent buyer.
The gamble worked. Osimhen exploded at Galatasaray, helping them secure the Turkish Super Lig title
Now, with his £50 million release clause reportedly applicable for foreign and domestic clubs, the transfer market has been sent into overdrive.
🇳🇬 Chivu’s Direct Intervention: The Push to Sign Osimhen
According to multiple Italian outlets including La Gazzetta dello Sport and Tuttosport, Inter Milan manager Cristian Chivu has made it unequivocally clear to the board: the club must act now to secure Osimhen before Juventus does.
Chivu, in his first full summer transfer window since replacing Simone Inzaghi, is looking to reshape Inter’s attack. While Lautaro Martínez remains club captain, there is growing concern over the aging depth behind him. Marko Arnautović is likely to leave, and Alexis Sánchez has already exited. Chivu wants a proven, mobile striker to partner Lautaro in a two-man attack, and Osimhen fits the profile perfectly.
“We cannot let a player like him go to Juventus,” Chivu is reported to have told Inter’s transfer committee. “He is a game-changer. You give him one chance — he scores. He is what this project needs.”
Inter’s owners, Suning Group, are now weighing the financial feasibility of the move, but insiders say Chivu’s voice is carrying significant influence within the corridors of power at Appiano Gentile.
🧃 Inter’s Financial Strategy: Can They Afford £50 Million?
On the surface, £50 million is a hefty sum, especially considering Inter’s ongoing financial prudence in recent years. However, Inter are exploring creative financing options, including:
- Spreading payments over multiple years.
- Including player swaps or sell-on clauses.
- Offloading fringe players to raise capital (Denzel Dumfries, Joaquin Correa, and Kristjan Asllani have been linked with moves away).
Moreover, UEFA’s financial sustainability rules now give clubs more room for strategic investments if they can demonstrate a long-term return. With Osimhen’s global appeal, shirt sales, and marketability, Inter believe he is a financially viable investment — not just a footballing one.
⚔️ Juventus in the Shadows: A Transfer War Brewing
While Inter are now acting aggressively, they are not alone. Juventus have been tracking Osimhen closely since his Napoli days, and new head coach Igor Tudor is also pushing for a marquee striker. Jonathan David has already signed, but insiders believe Juve still want a more explosive, physical No.9 to fit Tudor’s 3-4-2-1 system.
Osimhen is seen as ideal — especially as his previous Serie A experience would make the adaptation seamless.
However, Juventus’ hesitancy in triggering the clause may now backfire. With Inter moving swiftly, the Bianconeri may be forced into a bidding war — or risk losing out on their prime target to their fiercest rivals.
A source close to Juventus told Corriere dello Sport:
“We knew Osimhen was gettable, but the club felt confident in the relationship with his agents. Now that Inter are involved, things are complicated. They are moving fast, and the player is intrigued.”
🧠 Tactical Impact: What Osimhen Would Bring to Inter
From a tactical perspective, Osimhen is the missing piece in Chivu’s new blueprint. The former Romanian defender is looking to transition Inter into a more dynamic attacking outfit that can hurt teams on the break as well as dominate possession.
With Lautaro Martínez operating as a deep-lying forward, Osimhen would thrive on through balls, crosses, and counter-attacks. His blistering pace, vertical runs, and aerial ability would give Inter a weapon they haven’t had since Romelu Lukaku’s peak years at the club.
Furthermore, Osimhen’s work rate off the ball, pressing from the front, aligns perfectly with Chivu’s philosophy. Inter have often struggled in matches where they can’t break down low blocks — Osimhen’s directness could be the answer.
🧱 Potential Obstacles
Despite the momentum, several hurdles remain:
- Player’s Preference: Osimhen has not publicly commented on his future, but reports suggest he is open to both Inter and Juventus. Galatasaray would love to keep him, but cannot afford the fee.
- Napoli’s Role: Although the clause simplifies negotiations, Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis is known to be combative. He may attempt to complicate or delay proceedings out of rivalry with Inter.
- Wages: Osimhen’s wage demands are believed to be around €7 million per year, which would make him one of Inter’s top earners. The club must ensure it doesn’t disrupt the current salary structure.
- Timing: The FIFA Club World Cup ended just days ago, and the player is currently on vacation. Both clubs want to act fast, but convincing the player before preseason begins will be critical.
🗣️ Fan Reaction: Excitement Mixed with Rivalry Tension
The rumour mill has exploded among Inter and Juventus supporters. Inter fans, still reeling from missing out on Alvaro Morata last summer, are now dreaming of a new lethal strike duo.
One fan tweeted:
“Osimhen + Lautaro = nightmares for defenders. Don’t let Juve get him. Just get it DONE.”
Meanwhile, Juventus supporters are expressing frustration, with some blaming the board’s cautious approach:
“We tracked him for 2 years. Now Inter show up and boom — ready to trigger the clause. Typical.”
🚨 What Happens Next?
All eyes are now on Osimhen’s camp. Inter are reportedly preparing the formal paperwork to activate the clause next week, and Chivu is pushing for a resolution before mid-July to integrate the striker into preseason.
If successful, this would be one of Inter’s biggest signings since Romelu Lukaku’s initial arrival in 2019, and arguably the boldest move of the Chivu era so far.
Whether Juventus respond or back away could define both clubs’ fortunes in the 2025–26 season.
📌 Final Word
Cristian Chivu is not here to wait and see — he’s here to build a legacy. By pushing Inter to trigger Victor Osimhen’s £50 million release clause, he is making a clear statement: Inter will fight for the best, and they will fight to win.
Now, the ball is in Osimhen’s court — and the whole of Serie A is watching.
