Exclusive: Victor Osimhen and Galatasaray: Has the Nigerian made a good choice?

Exclusive

New season for Nigerian in Istanbul.

Exclusive: Victor Osimhen and Galatasaray: Has the Nigerian made a good choice?

After an impressive loan spell with Galatasaray where he netted 37 goals last season, Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen has made his move permanent, turning down lucrative offers from elsewhere to commit to the Turkish giants. This decision comes after much speculation about his future, particularly following his departure from Napoli.

To discuss this matter and the Nigerian's decision, Foot Africa hosted sports journalist and analyst Aws Mohammed, who works with several sports platforms on social media and has prominent media presence on satellite channels. He also owns the Total Football platform, which publishes extensive news about international football, along with a distinguished team.

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— Victor Osimhen (@victorosimhen9) August 4, 2025

Q: Do you believe Osimhen's permanent transfer to Galatasaray is the right move, or should he have held out for offers from bigger European clubs?

A: Osimhen had multiple offers on the table, most notably from Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal, which would have made him one of the highest-paid players in the world. However, he chose to stay at Galatasaray for a reported €21 million per year including bonuses.

In my view, this is a smart decision. He's already adapted to the club and league, and at 25, he has time to either use this as a springboard back to Europe's elite or establish himself as a legend in Turkey. The key is that he remains competitive at a high level rather than fading into obscurity in a less competitive league.

Q: As one of Europe's top strikers before his move, could this permanent transfer to Galatasaray limit his chances of returning to elite European clubs?

A: Not necessarily. His 37-goal season proves he can dominate in Turkey. If he maintains that form - especially in European competitions - and continues developing, top clubs will take notice.

The risk would be if he stays too long without testing himself at a higher level. But if he delivers another strong season, I can easily see English Premier League or Bundesliga clubs coming in for him next summer. At his age, this isn't a career-ending move - it's a calculated step.

Aws Mohammed

Q: Which European clubs do you think missed an opportunity by not signing Osimhen this summer?

That said, most top clubs are set: City have Haaland, Bayern have Kane, Real Madrid are developing young talents. The bigger issue was that Osimhen wouldn't accept a bench role at these clubs, and rightly so - at his age, he needs to play regularly.