Osimhen: Could Galatasaray coach’s words trigger Barcelona and Atletico transfer battle?

Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen has continued to dominate transfer headlines ahead of the summer window, with uncertainty still surrounding his future at Galatasaray, Afrik-Foot reports

The Nigerian striker has attracted strong interest from several top European clubs as the transfer market approaches, as they look to strengthen their attack for next season.

Osimhen has repeatedly expressed his desire to remain at Galatasaray. However, that has not stopped interest from the likes of Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea, Manchester United, and Arsenal, with expectations that some of these clubs could step up their pursuit this summer.

The 27-year-old has been in outstanding form since moving to Turkey in 2024, scoring 59 goals in 74 appearances across all competitions and he has already helped the club win three trophies, including their fourth consecutive league title last season, justifying the Turkish record €75 million price tag they splashed on him last summer.

What Okan Buruk said about Victor Osimhen

Galatasaray have maintained a firm stance on Osimhen’s future, insisting they are not ready to let the striker leave this summer despite growing interest from Europe’s elite clubs.

While the transfer window officially opens on June 15, things could still change over time, with several months remaining before the start of the new campaign.

When asked about the striker’s future, Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk said no decision has been made yet and he hoped that Osimhen remains at the club beyond this summer.

“No such issue has come to us. There’s nothing at the moment. Hopefully, he will continue his path at Galatasaray”, Buruk said, via Forza Cimbom.

Where this leaves Barcelona and Atletico Madrid

Barcelona and Atletico Madrid had previously suffered setbacks in their pursuit of Osimhen due to Galatasaray’s firm position, with reports also claiming the Turkish club would only consider offers in the region of €150 million.

However, Buruk’s latest comments could reopen the door for both Spanish clubs to revive their interest. The uncertainty and hope for the Nigerian forward to stay suggests a transfer is still possible before the window closes.

Atletico Madrid already had a €120 million bid rejected earlier this week but could return with a significantly improved offer that might convince Galatasaray to sell. Los Rojiblancos could be forced into the market for a striker, with Julian Alvarez attracting interest from Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, and even Real Madrid, who recently had a €150 million bid rejected.

This situation has increased their need to secure a replacement, strengthening their interest in Osimhen. However, any deal would still depend on convincing Galatasaray to accept a sale.

Barcelona, meanwhile, are also firmly in the race. The Catalan club have made Alvarez their top target, but if they fail to land him, they are expected to shift focus to Osimhen. In that case, they would also try to negotiate a deal with Galatasaray.

The appeal of playing for Barcelona remains a dream for many footballers, and Osimhen could find it difficult to turn down an offer from the Spanish giants if they make a concrete move.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid, Manchester United, and other top clubs are also monitoring the situation, and several twists could still unfold before the end of the summer transfer window.

For now, all indications still point toward Osimhen remaining at Galatasaray, although the situation could change quickly. Should he eventually leave, Atletico Madrid or Barcelona could be his most likely destinations.