Barcelona, Bayern Munich eyeing up Victor Osimhen for summer move?

by Devesh Jaganath

image Barcelona, Bayern Munich eyeing up Victor Osimhen for summer move?
While there is still the best part of four months before the major leagues across Europe close for this season, the rumour mill is already heating up, and Victor Osimhen is once again making headlines. Reports in recent days suggest that the Super Eagles talisman is being tracked by several European powerhouses, including Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

Osimhen ‘under consideration’ as replacement for Kane and Lewandowski 

After making a record-breaking move to Istanbul from Napoli last summer, Galatasaray would have thought they had secured a world-class striker for the foreseeable future, but reports in recent days suggest that Victor Osimhen could be on the move once again at the end of this season. 

The Super Eagles’ striker has been in incredible form since arriving at Rams Park, scoring 18 goals and providing seven assists in 27 games across the Super Lig and Champions League, proving that he is one of the premier forwards in Europe at present. 

Osimhen’s form this season has sparked speculation that bigger clubs in Europe could look to pry him away from Cimbom at the end of this campaign, and it is understood that German giants Bayern Munich and La Liga powerhouse Barcelona have placed the 27-year-old at the top of their wishlists. 

Several news outlets in Turkey have recently revealed that Vincent Kompany has tracked Osimhen’s development since his days at Charleroi and considers the Nigerian international an ideal candidate to replace England captain Harry Kane. 

Kane has been in incredible form himself this season, now on 45 goals and five assists in 37 appearances across all competitions, but he is now 32 years old, and his current contract in Bavaria runs until 2027. There is also talk that he wishes to end his career back in England. 

Similarly, Barcelona are also keeping tabs on the Gala attacker, with Robert Lewandowski turning 38 in August. The Pole has had to deal with a few injuries this season, and his output has dropped off, with 14 goals and three assists recorded in 34 matches this term. 

Galatasaray clarify stance on Osimhen release clause

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While the interest in Osimhen’s signature continues to grow, prying him away from Galatasaray will not be a straightforward task, as the Istanbul club tied the striker down to a long-term contract that runs until June 2029 when they forked over €75m to acquire him from Napoli. 

Gala’s president, Dursan Ozbek, responded to the recent speculation that their prized asset could be on the move next summer, saying that, “There is no release clause in Osimhen’s contract. He’s a hugely successful player who will serve Galatasaray for many years.”

However, Osimhen has previously mentioned that his dream is to play in the Premier League, and the ongoing interest from Chelsea and Manchester United could prove to be decisive if the Nigerian international tries to secure a move to England. 

If Cimbom do eventually decide to cash in on the 27-year-old, it is believed that they would ask for a price in the region of €120m to €140m, a figure that would shatter every player transfer record across the history of the Turkish top flight.