Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen was the centre of attention at Rams Park on Sunday, as Galatasaray fans unveiled a heartfelt banner reading, “Stay with us, Osi. Not because you have to, but because you want to.”
The touching plea to the on-loanNapoli striker, displayed during their victory over Kayserispor, quickly gained traction on social media, sparking emotional reactions from fans worldwide.
Since joining the Turkish giants on loan, Osimhen has quickly become a cult hero in Istanbul, playing a key role in their recent success. Their victory on Sunday secured a third consecutive Süper Lig title, further cementing the club’s dominance.
With his loan spell concluding at the end of the season and interest mounting from several of Europe’s elite clubs as well as a Saudi Pro League side, Galatasaray now face a significant challenge in securing the Nigeria international’s future at Cimbom beyond his current loan period.
Supporters of the club unveiled a large banner at the stadium, earnestly appealing to their star forward to remain with the team beyond the current season.
Fans flooded X with messages echoing the banner’s sentiment. A fan expressed that if he were in Osimhen’s position, he wouldn’t want to leave such devoted supporters.
A fan reacted emotionally, describing the banner and message as deeply moving and powerful.
Another fan jokingly described the banner as a form of emotional blackmail, highlighting its heartfelt impact.
One fan questioned the basis of the banner, calling the Galatasaray supporters a “delusional fanbase” for assuming Osimhen wants to stay.
Another fan argued that it’s unrealistic to expect a top striker like Osimhen to remain in the Turkish league while in his prime.
Victor Osimhen etched his name into Galatasaray’s history books last Wednesday, becoming the first foreign player to score 35 goals in a single season for the club. In doing so, the Nigerian striker surpassed a long-standing record set by Brazilian forward Mário Jardel, whose 34-goal haul had stood unchallenged for 24 years.
Osimhen has been a standout performer in Turkey during his season-long loan spell, netting 36 goals and providing six assists in 40 appearances for the Turkish side.
Osimhen’s contract with Napoli includes a release clause of €75 million (£63.2 million), a figure that has piqued the interest of several elite clubs across Europe.
Premier League giants Chelsea, Manchester United, and Arsenal are reportedly monitoring the striker, while Saudi Pro League powerhouse Al Hilal have also been linked with a potential move.
