Victor Osimhen and Istanbulspor: Super Eagles star plans Turkish club takeover

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen appears to have revealed an ambitious move to take over Istanbulspor and build a football bridge between Turkey and Nigeria, Afrik-Foot reports.

Per reports, the 27-year-old made the revelation during a livestream with Carter Efe, explaining that his plan goes far beyond simply owning a club. Osimhen wants to create a system where young Nigerian players can be discovered at grassroots level, developed at home, and then moved to Europe through Istanbulspor.

According to him, the project will include acquiring a second division club in Turkey and setting up a Nigerian branch that would compete in the Nigeria Premier Football League. This would allow talented players to gain exposure locally before making the step up to Turkish football.

The idea reflects Osimhen’s personal journey. Raised in Lagos, he understands how difficult it can be for young players to find opportunities. His dream is to make that path easier for others by creating a structured system that connects local talent directly to European football.

Interestingly, this major announcement comes at a time when Osimhen is sidelined with injury. The striker is currently recovering in Nigeria after suffering a broken right forearm during Galatasaray’s UEFA Champions League clash against Liverpool at Anfield.

The injury occurred early in the game, but Real Madrid-linked Osimhen continued playing through the first half, showing his well-known fighting spirit. After the match, he received treatment and returned home to begin recovery.

Even while injured, however, his focus has remained sharp. Known for his investments in real estate, Osimhen is now ready to put his money into football itself, the sport that changed his life.

Why Victor Osimhen’s club ownership move matters

Victor Osimhen’s plan stands out because very few Nigerian footballers have gone into full club ownership. While many remain connected to the game after retirement, most take on roles that do not involve owning teams outright.

One of the most notable exceptions is Eniola Aluko, who became a co-owner of an Italian women’s club, breaking new ground for black female investors in football. Her achievement showed what is possible when former players step into business leadership.

Current Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa has chosen a different path, investing in a sports academy in Kaduna to develop young players. While not a club owner, his work plays an important role in building future stars.

Former striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni has also moved into football business through player management and training facilities abroad. Meanwhile, Victor Anichebe has been linked with a possible club takeover in England, suggesting that interest in ownership is slowly growing among Nigerian players.

However, many well-known figures have stopped short of ownership. Nwankwo Kanu currently serves as chairman of Enyimba, but the club is government-owned. Jay-Jay Okocha has also spoken openly about why he has not invested in owning a club, pointing to financial risks and structural challenges in African football.

In contrast, Nigeria’s most successful club owners are mostly businessmen rather than former players. Kunle Soname owns Remo Stars and a European club in Portugal, while Shola Akinlade has built a growing football network with Sporting Lagos and investments abroad.

This is why Osimhen’s proposed takeover is so significant. If it goes through, he would join a very small group of Nigerian footballers who have moved from playing the game to owning part of its structure.