Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has been the standout player in Turkiye this season.
His impact has been massive. Galatasaray are top of the table, five points clear of closest rivals Fenerbahçe with just seven games left. Osimhen's 31 goals and all-round influence have made the difference in the title race.
Osimhen is not only leading the charge for Galatasaray on two fronts, but is also on course to win the Golden Boot.
But it could have all been very different had Fenerbahçe made a bold move 10 years ago.
🗣️ Hasan Çolakoğlu : Victor Osimhen 17 yaşındaydı onunla karşılaştığımda. Yetki alarak Fenerbahçe ile görüştüm. ‘Bu oyuncuyu mutlaka alın. Gelecekte Avrupa'nın en iyi 3 santraforundan bir tanesi olacak' dedim. O dönem Fenerbahçe'deki yetkililer ilgilenmediler. pic.twitter.com/j8aQrWxJ56
— Fanatik (@fanatikcomtr) May 2, 2025
According to Turkish businessman Hasan Çolakoğlu, who has close links to Fenerbahçe, he once recommended the Nigeria striker to the club when Osimhen was just 17.
“Victor Osimhen was 17 years old when I met him,” Çolakoğlu said, per Fanatik. “I got permission to speak with Fenerbahçe. I told them, sign this boy.
“He will be among the top three centre-forwards in Europe but they were not interested.”
Victor Osimhen holds the key, ready to hurt Fenerbahçe
Fenerbahçe passed on the opportunity, and Osimhen has since gone on to become one of the best in the world, rising through Wolfsburg, Charleroi, Lille, and Napoli before his latest chapter in Turkey.
In September last year, Osimhen rubbed salt into Fenerbahçe’s wounds when he got an assist in Galatasaray’s 3-1 win over them in Istanbul, and then he put them to the sword in the cup with a brace in early April.
Now, he stands between them and the league title — the same player they could have signed for peanuts a decade ago.
Fenerbahçe manager José Mourinho is believed to be a big fan of Osimhen, and some whispers in Turkey suggest the club may try to sign him next season. But that looks unlikely.
They had the chance to bring him in early, but now they can only watch as the one they let slip away returns to haunt them.
