Besiktas legend urges Galatasaray to keep Victor Osimhen, insists Nigerian better than Fenerbahce strikers

Besiktas icon Sergen Yalçın has urged Galatasaray to pull out all the stops to retain Victor Osimhen beyond the current season, claiming the Nigerian is head and shoulders above rival forwards in Turkey, Soccernet.ng reports.

Osimhen’s arrival in Istanbul last summer – after a proposed big-money move to Chelsea fell through – was a sensational coup for Galatasaray, who landed the 2023 African Footballer of the Year on a loan deal from Napoli.

Since then, the Super Eagles striker has lit up Turkish football, netting 29 goals across all competitions and pushing Galatasaray toward a historic league and cup double.

Now, with Europe’s top clubs – including Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus, and PSG – circling again, Galatasaray face a battle to keep the prolific frontman.

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The club, however, remains determined to explore innovative ways to make Osimhen’s stay in Istanbul permanent.

Sergen Yalçın, the first person to win the Turkish Süper Lig as both a player and manager with Besiktas, believes Galatasaray must act decisively.

What was said of Victor Osimhen?

Speaking on Kafa Sports via 24 Saat Gazetesi, Yalçın declared: “Victor Osimhen 100 percent should be taken for Galatasaray.”

He continued: “Icardi is not considered when Osimhen is there. Galatasaray should definitely make this transfer, I’m not even saying 99 percent, this transfer should happen.”

Despite Mauro Icardi returning from injury and expected to lead Galatasaray’s line next season, Yalçın insists only Osimhen guarantees silverware.

He also highlighted why Osimhen is superior to Fenerbahce’s attacking options, notably Edin Dzeko and Youssef En-Nesyri.

“Fenerbahçe’s center forwards cannot be Dzeko and En-Nesyri. You cannot press up front with these players, you wait for the opponent in your own half. But if you have a player like Osimhen, you can press,” Yalçın said.

Comparing Galatasaray’s fluidity to Fenerbahce’s struggles, Yalçın added:

“Galatasaray solves problems quickly. Fenerbahçe’s problem lies in their goalkeeper’s poor footwork and their inability to establish play. Their center forwards are not better than Osimhen either.”

With Fenerbahce previously failing in their bid to sign Osimhen, and the striker indicating he will only make a decision at season’s end, the stage is set for another transfer tug-of-war – one Galatasaray will be desperate to win.