Galatasaray president Dursun Özbek has broken his silence on growing transfer rumours surrounding Victor Osimhen, Soccernet.ng reports.
Osimhen’s blistering form in Turkey and on the continent in the first few weeks of the 2025-26 season has reignited talk of another blockbuster move, this time to one of Europe’s elite,
Speaking at an awards ceremony in Istanbul, Özbek was asked directly whether reports suggesting Galatasaray would only consider bids around €150 million for Osimhen were true. His response was deliberately measured.
“Osimhen is one of the most valuable footballers in Türkiye,” Özbek said as per Sporx.
“I don’t want to comment on his numbers. There is one thing all Turkish football fans agree on: Osimhen is the league’s most valuable player.”
It was a diplomatic answer, but one that reveals Galatasaray’s awareness of the Nigerian’s immense worth. The 26-year-old striker joined the Turkish giants this summer in what became the most expensive transfer in the country’s history, a €75 million deal from Napoli.
The decision, seen by some as a gamble, is now proving inspired. With nine goals in 12 appearances this season, including six in just three Champions League games, Osimhen has transformed Galatasaray into a continental force once more.
His stunning Champions League form has powered Galatasaray to three wins in four matches, the club’s best start in 13 years. It has not only placed Galatasaray on the brink of the knockout rounds but also elevated Osimhen’s value to potentially twice his transfer fee.
UEFA’s fascination with his story is such that the governing body is reportedly preparing a documentary on the Nigerian star, who recently became the highest-scoring Nigerian in European continental competitions.
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Watford legend wants Victor Osimhen out of Galatasaray
While Galatasaray’s boardroom insists it’s too early to discuss numbers, the world outside Türkiye can’t seem to stop.
Chelsea, PSG, Manchester United, and Barcelona are all said to be keeping tabs on Osimhen, with renewed speculation that one of them could test Galatasaray’s resolve when the transfer window reopens.
The debate over whether Osimhen should already be at one of Europe’s top clubs has even reached the punditry studios.
Former Premier League striker Troy Deeney voiced his disbelief on CBS Sports Golazo, questioning why a player of Osimhen’s quality isn’t leading the line for a European superpower.
“Victor Osimhen is one guy we never can really understand. Why is he in Turkey? Why is he not at these big clubs?” Deeney asked.
“There’s something about him that says he’s a goalscorer, but clearly some other people don’t fancy [him]. For me, you need a goalscorer in your team.”
Deeney ranks Osimhen as the seventh-best striker in the world, behind Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé, Robert Lewandowski, Julián Álvarez, and Lautaro Martínez, but ahead of names like Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyökeres, and Hugo Ekitike.
