Osimhen: 2 reasons Galatasaray are no longer listening to offers

Galatasaray have closed the door on a summer transfer of Victor Osimhen despite interest in the Super Eagles striker, Afrik-Foot reports.

The Turkish champions had previously placed a huge price tag of between €130 million and €150 million on the Nigeria international. That position has now changed. Galatasaray are no longer treating Osimhen as a player who could leave for the right offer, a bad news indeed for Napoli.

The 27-year-old has a contract with the club until June 2029 and there is no release clause. That gives Galatasaray strong control over his future and allows the club to reject offers without having to negotiate a fixed exit fee.

The decision comes after Galatasaray rejected several major proposals. Atlético Madrid reportedly put forward a package worth up to €125 million, while Arsenal sent senior officials to Istanbul with a proposal involving Viktor Gyökeres plus €30 million. Tottenham Hotspur also saw a €60 million opening bid rejected. Manchester United and Barcelona made enquiries but could not convince the Turkish club to change its position.

New insights have now surfaced about how Galatasaray arrived at the decision to hold on to Osimhen, the most expensive transfer in Turkish football history.

Özbek fears the political cost of selling Osimhen

Galatasaray president Dursun Özbek’s main reason for refusing to sell the striker is that he knows how angry supporters could become if Osimhen leaves.

Özbek has reportedly been blunt about the pressure surrounding the situation. His warning, as per Fotospor, was direct:

“If Osimhen leaves, they won’t let me stay in this position.”

That statement explains why the transfer is not simply a financial decision for Galatasaray. Özbek is also thinking about his position as president and the reaction from the club’s supporters.

Osimhen has quickly become unarguably the most popular player in the club’s recent history. Özbek has previously spoken about the striker’s ability to attract a new generation of supporters, saying he has helped inspire a “second generation of Galatasaray fans“. Selling him after investing heavily to bring him permanently from Napoli would therefore carry a huge political cost.

Turkish sports analyst Levent Tüzemen also provided insight into Özbek’s position on Libero TV. According to Tüzemen, the president made his position clear when discussing the possibility of a huge offer.

“No matter what offer comes in, I won’t sell him. Putting a price on someone you don’t intend to sell is like counting your chickens before they hatch.”

Galatasaray paid €75 million in a historic package to sign Osimhen permanently from Napoli last year. The club did not make that investment simply to sell him a few months later for a profit.

The sporting target is also much higher now. Galatasaray want to challenge deep into the UEFA Champions League, with the club’s leadership discussing ambitions of reaching the competition’s top eight or even the semifinals.

Okan Buruk’s plans make Osimhen central to that mission. Following Mauro Icardi’s departure, the manager has built his attacking system around the Nigeria international. The club is also preparing to give Osimhen the iconic No. 9 shirt and the captaincy before the new season.

Fenerbahçe and Trabzonspor make Osimhen even more important

Galatasaray’s decision is also connected to the growing strength of their domestic rivals.

Fenerbahçe have added Mason Greenwood after his move from Marseille and are also finalising a deal for Romelu Lukaku from Napoli. Those additions give the Istanbul side more attacking quality, pace and physical strength as they prepare to challenge for the Süper Lig title.

Trabzonspor have also changed the balance of power with two eye-catching attacking signings. Mohamed Salah has joined the club on a free transfer, while Darwin Núñez is arriving on a one-season loan. The pair give Trabzonspor a dangerous counter-attacking threat.

That makes Osimhen’s importance even greater for Galatasaray. The Nigerian has scored 59 goals and provided 16 assists in 74 official appearances for the club. He also became the fastest player in Galatasaray history to reach 50 goals, doing so in just 59 games.

With Icardi already gone, losing Osimhen as well would force Buruk to rebuild his attack while Fenerbahçe, Besiktas and Trabzonspor strengthen theirs.

Galatasaray therefore see keeping Osimhen as more than protecting a star player. It is a decision designed to defend their Süper Lig dominance, strengthen their Champions League campaign and protect Özbek’s position at the club.