Turkish and Besiktas football legend, Sergen Yalçın, has strongly advised Galatasaray to do everything possible to retain Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen beyond the current season.
Yalçın emphasized that Osimhen’s impact since arriving in Istanbul places him far ahead of any rival striker in the Turkish Süper Lig.
Galatasaray pulled off a major coup last summer by securing the 2023 African Footballer of the Year on loan from Napoli, after a much-anticipated move to Chelsea fell through.
Osimhen’s arrival stunned many, but the Super Eagles star quickly justified the hype, scoring 29 goals across all competitions and powering Galatasaray’s campaign for a potential league and cup double.
Now, with European giants such as Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus, and PSG once again showing interest, Galatasaray faces a significant challenge in keeping their star forward.
Despite the looming threat from Europe’s elite clubs, Galatasaray remains hopeful and is exploring creative solutions to turn Osimhen’s loan into a permanent deal.
Sergen Yalçın, a revered figure in Turkish football and the only individual to win the Süper Lig as both a player and manager with Besiktas, made his stance clear during an appearance on Kafa Sports via 24 Saat Gazetesi.
Yalçın stated emphatically, “Victor Osimhen 100 percent should be taken for Galatasaray.”
He added: “Icardi is not considered when Osimhen is there. Galatasaray should definitely make this transfer, I’m not even saying 99 percent, this transfer should happen.”
Even with Mauro Icardi expected to return to full fitness and spearhead Galatasaray’s attack next season, Yalçın believes Osimhen’s presence is the true key to success.
He didn’t shy away from comparing Osimhen to Fenerbahçe’s options, including Edin Dzeko and Youssef En-Nesyri, highlighting the difference in tactical versatility.
“Fenerbahçe’s center forwards cannot be Dzeko and En-Nesyri. You cannot press up front with these players, you wait for the opponent in your own half. But if you have a player like Osimhen, you can press,” he said.
Drawing a contrast between Galatasaray and their bitter rivals, he continued, “Galatasaray solves problems quickly. Fenerbahçe’s problem lies in their goalkeeper’s poor footwork and their inability to establish play. Their center forwards are not better than Osimhen either.”
While Fenerbahçe once tried and failed to land Osimhen, and with the Nigerian forward stating he will decide his future after the season ends, another intense transfer saga is brewing. Galatasaray, however, seem more than willing to go all in to win it.
