Osimhen: 3 top wingers Galatasaray should sign to unlock Super Eagles star’s best form

Victor Osimhen has already shown that he can score goals in almost every situation, but one respected Turkish football voice believes Galatasaray can still get much more from their Nigerian superstar, Afrik-Foot reports.

Turkish pundit Levent Tüzemen has urged the Turkish champions to focus on signing an elite creative winger instead of adding more defensive-minded players. According to him, the Super Eagles forward performs at his very best when he has a wide player capable of beating defenders, creating space and delivering quality passes into dangerous areas.

Tüzemen pointed to Osimhen’s successful partnership with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia at Napoli as the perfect example.

Levent Tüzemen said: “It was Kvara who made Osimhen a star at Napoli. Galatasaray still hasn’t signed a winger who can get Osimhen fired up. I just don’t understand this transfer policy.”

During Napoli’s unforgettable 2022-23 Serie A title-winning campaign, the pair became one of Europe’s most feared attacking combinations. Kvaratskhelia constantly stretched defences with his dribbling and creativity, while the Nigerian punished opponents with his pace, movement and clinical finishing.

The numbers back up that partnership. According to Transfermarkt, Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia played together 63 times, directly combining for 15 goals. Eleven of those goals came from assists provided by the Georgian winger for the Nigerian striker. Together, they produced more than 40 goals and assists during Napoli’s title-winning season, with Kvaratskhelia winning the Serie A MVP award and Osimhen being named Serie A Striker of the Season.

The chemistry worked because each player made life easier for the other. Kvaratskhelia attracted defenders out wide, opening space in central areas for Osimhen to attack. His accurate crosses, quick cut-backs and clever through balls regularly found the Super Eagles forward in dangerous positions inside the penalty area.

With Galatasaray aiming to defend their Turkish Super Lig title and compete strongly in Europe this season, adding another elite creator on the wing could make Osimhen even more difficult to stop.

Three wingers who could bring the best out of Osimhen

Rafael Leão (AC Milan)

Among the players linked with Galatasaray, AC Milan star Rafael Leão may be the closest match to Kvaratskhelia’s style. Reports during the 2026 summer transfer window have claimed Galatasaray are trying to use the presence of Osimhen as part of their plan to convince the Portuguese international to move to Istanbul.

Leão is one of Europe’s most dangerous left wingers. His explosive pace, powerful running and outstanding one-on-one ability regularly force two or three defenders to close him down. That creates exactly the type of space Osimhen, who does not want to be Galatasaray’s captain, loves to attack.

Whenever Leão drives towards the byline, defenders are pulled out of position. His low crosses and cut-backs into the six-yard box perfectly suit Osimhen’s aggressive near-post runs, while his ability to launch quick counter-attacks also matches the Nigerian’s incredible speed. If Galatasaray want to recreate something close to the famous Napoli partnership, Leão could be their strongest option.

David Neres (Napoli)

Another player capable of transforming Galatasaray’s attack is Brazilian winger David Neres. The Napoli attacker has repeatedly attracted interest from clubs searching for a creative wide player. Unlike traditional wingers who stay close to the touchline, Neres prefers drifting inside from the right wing onto his stronger left foot.

That movement allows him to operate between the opposition’s defence and midfield, where he can pick out clever passes that many defenders never see coming. This style could be extremely valuable for Tottenham-linked Osimhen.

Neres is excellent at delivering curling crosses towards the back post and threading diagonal passes behind defenders. Those are exactly the areas where Osimhen’s strength, timing and aerial ability make him one of Europe’s most dangerous strikers.

Instead of simply crossing from deep positions, Neres would regularly create chances through quick combinations and intelligent movement, giving Osimhen more opportunities inside the penalty area.

Assane Diao (Como)

The youngest option on the list is Como winger Assane Diao, who has also been linked with Galatasaray during the current transfer window.

The 20-year-old has built his reputation on explosive pace and fearless attacking play. Rather than slowing the game down, Diao prefers to attack defenders directly, taking them on in one-versus-one situations and driving into open space.

That direct style could have a huge impact on Osimhen’s game. Every time Diao beats his full-back, opposition centre-backs are forced to leave their positions to provide cover. Those movements create gaps in the heart of the defence, exactly where Osimhen is most dangerous.

With his acceleration, powerful runs and willingness to attack the final third, Diao could create the kind of chaos that allows Osimhen to find space inside the 18-yard box. Although the Senegal international is still developing, his pace and attacking instincts make him an exciting long-term option for a Galatasaray side looking to build around one of Africa’s best strikers.