Osimhen: 3 ways Leao could bring out Super Eagles star’s best

Portuguese winger Rafael Leao could soon be on his way to Turkish champions Galatasaray from AC Milan, setting up a potentially exciting partnership with Victor Osimhen at the club, Afrik-Foot reports.

The Cimbom have been looking to strengthen their attack this summer as they aim to maintain their dominance in the Turkish Super Lig while also making a bigger impact in the UEFA Champions League.

That has led to their interest in Leao, who has reportedly expressed his desire to leave AC Milan in search of a new challenge.

The Portugal international joined Milan in 2019 and could now be set for a move to Turkey, according to reports from Football Italia.

While the transfer would mark a new chapter in Leao’s career, the possibility of him teaming up with Osimhen has already generated plenty of excitement and there are several qualities the Portuguese winger possesses that could help bring the best out of the Super Eagles striker at Galatasaray.

Leao would create more space behind defences

One of Leao’s biggest strengths is his ability to beat defenders with the ball at his feet. His pace and dribbling ability often force two or more defenders to close him down, leaving space for his teammates to exploit.

That could be a huge advantage for Osimhen, who thrives on making runs behind defensive lines. With defenders focused on stopping Leao, the Nigerian striker would have more room to attack dangerous areas and punish opposition defences.

The likes of Lesley Ugochukwu and Gabriel Sara in the middle of the park would also have more passing options and they could pick out Osimhen’s runs more easily, especially with defenders pulled out of position by Leao’s movement, leading to more chances for both the striker and his teammates.

Osimhen would receive better service

A player of Leao’s quality would represent a massive upgrade in Galatasaray’s attacking options. His arrival could even recreate some of the chemistry Osimhen enjoyed with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia at Napoli, where the pair terrorized defences and helped the club win a historic Serie A title.

Leao’s ability to dribble past defenders, deliver dangerous crosses and create chances from wide areas would give Osimhen far more quality service inside the penalty area.

The Portuguese winger is also excellent in one-on-one situations, often beating his marker before finding teammates in dangerous positions. That would give Osimhen more scoring opportunities and could further improve his already impressive goalscoring numbers.

Leao and Osimhen’s pace in transition would trouble any defence

Playing alongside someone with similar strengths often brings out the best in majority of footballers and that could be the case for Osimhen and Leao.

Both players are blessed with exceptional pace and are very dangerous in transition and their speed could make Galatasaray one of the most dangerous counter-attacking teams in Europe.

If they quickly build chemistry, they could become one of Europe’s most exciting attacking partnerships, helping Galatasaray chase an unprecedented fifth consecutive Turkish Super Lig title while also improving their performances in the UEFA Champions League.

AC Milan have reportedly rejected an initial bid for Leao but remain open to negotiations if Galatasaray return with an improved offer. The Turkish side are also hoping to keep the Super Eagles forward who has been heavily linked with an exit this summer.

Should the deal go through, Leao’s potential partnership with Osimhen will be one of the most exciting storylines to watch ahead of next season.