Galatasaray Vice-President Sets €150 Million Price Tag for Victor Osimhen Amid Barcelona Interest
Galatasaray's vice-president, Abdullah Kavukcu, has publicly stated that Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen's market value has doubled to at least €150 million, as top European clubs including Barcelona and Atletico Madrid show strong interest in acquiring the prolific forward. This announcement comes amid ongoing transfer speculation surrounding the 2023 African Footballer of the Year, who joined the Turkish champions permanently in 2026 for €75 million after an initial loan spell.
European Giants Circle for Super Eagles Star
According to reports from Bein Sport Turkiye, Spanish La Liga powerhouses Barcelona and Atletico Madrid have emerged as serious contenders for Osimhen's signature. Barcelona views the Nigerian international as a potential replacement for veteran striker Robert Lewandowski, while Atletico Madrid considers him an option to succeed Julian Alvarez, who has reportedly struggled to adapt since his move and may return to the Premier League.
Osimhen's performances since joining Galatasaray have been nothing short of spectacular, prompting the club to make his transfer permanent despite significant competition from Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal. The striker's current contract includes a staggering annual net salary of €21 million, equivalent to over €400,000 per week, which presents a substantial financial hurdle for most European clubs considering a move.
Kavukcu's Firm Stance on Osimhen's Value
In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Vice-President Abdullah Kavukcu emphasized Osimhen's importance to Galatasaray while acknowledging that an extraordinary offer could potentially change their stance. "When we bought him, many people talked about it as a crazy investment. I think Victor proved everyone wrong, considering his value has doubled," Kavukcu stated.
The Galatasaray executive further elaborated: "We know he's one of the best centre-forwards in the world, and we want to achieve great things together." This dual message suggests that while the Turkish champions are reluctant to part with their prized asset, they recognize that a monumental transfer fee in the range of €150 million could force them to reconsider their position.
Financial Realities and Transfer Complications
The €150 million valuation, combined with Osimhen's substantial wages, creates significant barriers for interested European clubs. Spanish teams in particular would face financial fair play constraints in meeting both the transfer fee and salary demands. This situation potentially leaves Saudi Arabian clubs as the most viable suitors unless Osimhen demonstrates willingness to accept reduced wages, something he has consistently refused to do in previous negotiations.
Osimhen's career trajectory has been marked by consistent excellence since his breakthrough at Napoli, where he established himself as one of Europe's most dangerous strikers. His move to Galatasaray came after Napoli President Aurelio de Laurentiis blocked a potential transfer to Juventus, demonstrating the high regard in which Italian clubs hold the Nigerian forward.
Future Prospects and Serie A Connections
Recent reports indicate that Osimhen has hinted at a possible return to Serie A, specifically praising Juventus as one of the world's elite clubs. This revelation adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing transfer saga, suggesting that Italian teams might re-enter the bidding if financial arrangements can be structured appropriately.
As the summer transfer window approaches, Galatasaray finds itself in a strong negotiating position with a player whose value continues to appreciate. The club's leadership appears determined to either retain their star striker for a potential championship run or secure a record-breaking transfer fee that would provide substantial resources for squad rebuilding.
The coming months will reveal whether European giants like Barcelona and Atletico Madrid can overcome the financial obstacles to secure Osimhen's services or whether the Nigerian superstar will continue his goal-scoring exploits in the Turkish Süper Lig with Galatasaray.
