Galatasaray president Dursun Ozbek has made it abundantly clear that star striker Victor Osimhen will not be sold before the end of the current transfer window, despite growing interest from Premier League clubs, most notably Arsenal.
Osimhen joined Galatasaray permanently from Napoli last summer in a club-record €75 million (£64.8 million) deal and has since established himself as one of the Turkish champions’ most important and productive players.
The 26-year-old has scored 59 goals in 74 appearances across the past two seasons, playing a pivotal role in helping Galatasaray secure consecutive Turkish Super Lig titles.
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His clinical finishing, physical presence and work rate have made him a fan favourite in Istanbul and a constant source of goals for the Yellow-Reds.
Osimhen’s future has come under renewed speculation in recent weeks following reports of Arsenal’s interest. The Premier League side are understood to have monitored the situation closely, with the Nigerian international’s name reportedly discussed during talks between the two clubs that also involved Galatasaray’s interest in Arsenal players.
Speaking after scoring twice in Galatasaray’s 2-2 draw against newly promoted Corum FK in their opening Super Lig match of the season on Friday, Osimhen himself refused to completely shut the door on a potential move.
“There are always rumours during the transfer windows,” Osimhen said. “I’ll focus on my job. I’m focused on my work. We’ll see and think about what comes next then.”
Despite the player’s measured comments, Galatasaray’s hierarchy appear resolute. According to Turkish outlet 343 Digital, Ozbek has privately insisted to his inner circle that the club has no intention of selling their star forward under any circumstances this summer.
“I will not say ‘yes’ to any transaction that will harm Galatasaray or not benefit Galatasaray,” Ozbek is reported to have said. “What I said about Baris Alper Yilmaz, I am now saying even more strongly about Osimhen. No matter how much the price is, I am not selling Osimhen.”
The club’s firm stance was underlined earlier this week when Galatasaray rejected a substantial €130 million (£111 million) offer from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal for the Nigeria international. The bid, which would have represented a significant profit on the €75 million paid to Napoli, was turned down without serious negotiation, signalling that Osimhen is considered untouchable.
Ozbek’s comments echo earlier statements he has made about the striker, emphasising that Galatasaray did not invest heavily in Osimhen only to sell him on at the first opportunity.
The president has previously stressed the player’s value both on the pitch and as a key figure in the club’s long-term ambitions, which include competing at a higher level in European competitions.
