Can Paul Onuachu and Mohamed Salah usurp Victor Osimhen’s Galatasaray Süper Lig reign?

Victor Osimhen has been the undisputed face of the Turkish Süper Lig over the last two seasons, but the balance of power could shift in the upcoming campaign, Afrik-Foot reports.

The Super Eagles striker fired Galatasaray to back-to-back league titles, established himself as the league’s most impactful forward, and became the benchmark every rival now hopes to match.

Yet, with Trabzonspor retaining Paul Onuachu despite lucrative Saudi Arabian interest and Egyptian icon Mohamed Salah completing his sensational move to the Black Sea club, Turkish football suddenly has another heavyweight attacking duo capable of challenging Galatasaray’s dominance.

🚨💣 BREAKING: Mo Salah to Trabzonspor, here we go! Club confirms agreement in place for the Egyptian striker.

Salah joins on two year deal as free agent after leaving Liverpool. pic.twitter.com/JhILAobRvE

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 4, 2026

The question is no longer whether Trabzonspor have improved. It is whether they have improved enough to dethrone Osimhen’s Galatasaray.

Why Osimhen remains the man to beat

Osimhen enters the new season as the league’s marker. His combination of pace, pressing, aerial dominance and penalty-box instincts has put defenders in the Super Lig to the sword.

Unlike many elite goalscorers, Osimhen influences games even when he does not score. His movement creates space for teammates, while his relentless pressing often forces mistakes high up the pitch.

Galatasaray have also built their attack around him, ensuring the service and tactical structure maximise his strengths.

Any club hoping to overthrow the champions must therefore find a way to reduce Osimhen’s influence across an entire season, not just in one-off meetings.

Can Onuachu finally spur Trabzonspor

Paul Onuachu has already shown he can thrive in Turkey. After rebuilding his career at Trabzonspor following an unsuccessful spell at Southampton, the Nigerian has become one of the Süper Lig’s most reliable goalscorers.

His decision to reject Al-Hilal and remain in Trabzon reflects his belief in the club’s project rather than purely financial motivations.

Unlike Osimhen, Onuachu is a completely different profile. Standing at 2.01 metres, he remains one of Europe’s tallest strikers, capable of deciding matches through crosses, set pieces and hold-up play.

His physical presence also allows teammates to play closer to him, making Trabzonspor more dangerous in sustained attacks.

However, while Onuachu consistently scores goals, his overall influence differs from Osimhen’s. He depends more heavily on service into the box and does not possess the same mobility or pressing intensity that makes Galatasaray’s striker so complete.

Salah changes everything for Trabzonspor

The arrival of Mohamed Salah could be the factor that transforms Trabzonspor from European hopefuls into title contenders.

Even at this stage of his career, at 34, the Egyptian can still cause chaos. His creativity, movement and ability to create chances can take Fatih Tekke’s side further from the 3rd position they finished in the Super Lig last season.

More importantly, Salah’s profile complements Onuachu almost perfectly. While the Nigerian thrives inside the penalty area, Salah excels at creating opportunities from the flanks, driving the ball into central areas and delivering passes in the final third.

That combination could provide Trabzonspor with an attacking partnership capable of matching Galatasaray’s firepower over the course of the season.

Opponents will no longer be able to focus solely on stopping Onuachu. With Salah attracting defenders, the Super Eagles striker should find more space inside the penalty box.

The Turkish Super Lig race

Although Salah and Onuachu strengthen Trabzonspor considerably, Galatasaray still have a more balanced squad, at least on paper.

The champions have developed longevity under Okan Buruk, while Osimhen continues to lead an attack that already understands his movements.

Trabzonspor, meanwhile, must integrate one of African football’s biggest stars while maintaining tactical cohesion and dressing room relationships. Chemistry cannot be built overnight, regardless of individual quality.

Then there’s consistency. Osimhen has proven that he can sustain elite performances across a season, barring any injury problems.

Salah and Onuachu undoubtedly possess the quality to produce decisive moments, but their partnership must consistently deliver if Trabzonspor are to keep pace with Galatasaray.

Trabzonspor’s recruitment has unquestionably narrowed the gap. Salah’s arrival gives the club a genuine world-class creator and finisher in one package, while Onuachu remains among the league’s most effective centre-forwards, with his golden boot last season doing all the talking.

Together, they could form one of the Süper Lig’s most dangerous attacking duos. However, dethroning Galatasaray requires more than assembling star names.