Ex-Fenerbahce coach scoffs at Galatasaray’s bid to keep Victor Osimhen

Former Fenerbahce goalkeeper Volkan Demirel has dismissed Galatasaray’s hopes of retaining Victor Osimhen beyond this season, insisting the Nigerian striker is destined for a much bigger stage than the Turkish Super Lig, Footynaija.com reports.

Galatasaray stunned the football world last summer by securing Osimhen on loan from Napoli after his move to Chelsea collapsed. The 26-year-old has since become a fan favourite in Istanbul, endearing himself to supporters from the moment he arrived.

Osimhen’s commitment to the club was further demonstrated in January when he rejected offers from the Premier League, despite previously expressing his desire to play in England.

His performances have justified the fans’ adoration, with the Super Eagles forward racking up 31 goals and assists across all competitions, leading Galatasaray’s charge towards a record-extending 35th league title.

11 games
⚽️ 11 goals
87 mins per goal

Victor Osimhen has a perfect record in the league since the turn of the year. pic.twitter.com/WQRALI8ldT

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) March 20, 2025

Buoyed by his impact, Galatasaray are keen to make his stay permanent. However, Osimhen has remained non-committal, stating he will only decide his future at the end of the season.

Club vice-president Abdullah Kavukcu recently fuelled speculation, claiming the striker “loves” Galatasaray and a long-term deal is “not impossible.”

“Osimhen will announce his decision in April. At the moment, five of the world’s top clubs are interested in him,” Kavukcu told Sport Mediaset.

“His arrival here was a dream – he came, and for now, he is playing with us. In January, there was talk of a transfer, but he stayed. He loves Galatasaray very much. Right now, he is the dream of all our rivals. Although we are focused on winning the title, we have not had direct discussions with Victor yet. There is no point in talking about it now. Galatasaray are a top-level club – if it weren’t, Victor wouldn’t have come. His stay at Galatasaray is not as impossible as it may seem.”

However, Demirel has poured cold water on Galatasaray’s ambitions, scoffing at the idea that they could afford to sign Osimhen permanently. The former Fenerbahce assistant manager believes the Nigerian striker is simply out of the league’s reach.

“Galatasaray cannot buy Osimhen by paying €75 million,” Demirel stated as per Fanatik.

“A player like Osimhen will never come to the Turkish league again. He has the capacity to play for any club in Europe’s top five leagues, not just in Turkey. When I said this at the beginning of the season, people reacted. Many stars have come to the Super Lig, but this is something completely different.”

Osimhen remains one of the most sought-after strikers in world football, with Chelsea, Arsenal, and other European giants closely monitoring his next move. While he currently wears the colours of Galatasaray, a fierce battle for his signature is expected in the summer.