The race for next season’s La Liga title may already have started, and at the centre of it is expected to be Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, Soccernet.ng reports.
Reports in Spain, Portugal and Turkey suggest that Jose Mourinho is edging closer to a dramatic return to Real Madrid after the club endured another frustrating campaign. Madrid finished the 2025/26 season without a major trophy, likely to end the year at least 14 points behind champions Barcelona.
Their 2-0 defeat at Camp Nou against Barcelona confirmed the Catalan side’s 29th league title and increased pressure on the Madrid hierarchy.
The season had already been turbulent. Xabi Alonso was dismissed in January after poor results, while interim coach Alvaro Arbeloa failed to steady the campaign. Madrid were also knocked out of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals by Bayern Munich and suffered a shock Copa del Rey exit against second-tier side Albacete.
Vlub president Florentino Perez is now believed to want Mourinho back at the Santiago Bernabéu.
The Portuguese coach is currently with Benfica, but reports claim Madrid are willing to activate his €3 million release clause. More importantly, Mourinho is said to have already identified the player he believes can swing the balance of power in Spain and that is none other than Victor Osimhen.
Why Mourinho sees Osimhen as the missing piece
Mourinho has admired Osimhen for years. During the striker’s time at Napoli, the pair faced each other in Serie A when Mourinho managed AS Roma. The Portuguese manager has openly compared the Nigerian to Didier Drogba, the powerful forward who became one of Chelsea’s greatest strikers under Mourinho.
That comparison is not accidental. Madrid have struggled to replace the presence once offered by Karim Benzema. Since Benzema’s departure, the club have often used Kylian Mbappe through the middle, despite the French star preferring to attack from the left side. Vinicius Junior has also spent periods operating in unfamiliar central areas.
Mourinho reportedly believes Osimhen can solve that tactical imbalance immediately. The Nigerian’s pace, movement, pressing and aerial strength would give Madrid a recognised number nine again. That would allow Mbappe and Vinicius to return permanently to wider positions where they are most dangerous.
Osimhen’s numbers explain why Europe’s biggest clubs remain interested. The former Lille striker scored 22 goals and produced eights assists in 33 matches across all competitions. The goals powered Galatasaray to another Turkish league title and the knockout stage of the UEFA Champions League for the first time in more than a decade.
Galatasaray reportedly value him at between €100 million and €150 million after signing him permanently last year.
Barcelona also want Osimhen
Madrid’s biggest problem is that Barcelona also see Osimhen as the ideal long-term replacement for Robert Lewandowski.
Lewandowski is expected to leave this summer, ending a successful period in Catalonia. Although Barcelona won the league under Hansi Flick, many inside the club believe another elite striker is necessary if they are to dominate Europe again.
Osimhen fits Flick’s style perfectly. Barcelona want aggressive pressing from the front, quick vertical attacking and relentless movement behind defenders. The Nigerian offers all three. That is why the battle for his signature could become the defining transfer contest of the summer.
Madrid believe he could restore balance to their attack under Mourinho. Barcelona believe he could extend their domestic dominance and improve their Champions League hopes.
In many ways, the next La Liga title race may depend on where Osimhen eventually lands. If Barcelona sign him, they strengthen a title-winning squad that already finished far ahead of Madrid this season. If Madrid win the race, Mourinho could instantly gain the striker needed to rebuild his side around Mbappe and Vinicius.
Osimhen, though, appears happy in Istanbul with the Super Eagles forward hinting he wants to repay Galatasaray for their trust.
However, a lot can change in the summer and with Mourinho in the equation, it could be difficult for the Nigerian star to reject Real Madrid.
And for a motivated Mourinho, bringing Osimhen to the Bernabéu could become the first major step in trying to take the Spanish title back from Barcelona.
