Galatasaray President Dursun Özbek has provided an update on the future of Victor Osimhen, following reports linking the club with a permanent deal for the Napoli-owned striker.
The 25-year-old has had a dream start to life with the Lion registering six goals and two assists in six games in the Trendyol Süper Lig, to become the first player to register a goal involvement in his first six games in the championship, since Opta started collecting data for the Turkish top-flight.
There have been a series of reports concerning the future of the Super Eagles star forward, with some earlier claiming that he could leave the RAMS Park in January, but he has expressed his desire to remain till the end of the season.
Reports have also emerged linking the Istanbul-based side with a permanent move for the reigning African Men’s Footballer of the Year but there has been no credible source confirming them.
Özbek, who happens to be the club’s President, has had to address the reports but he didn’t give much away, stating that they were enjoying his services.
In a new development, the 75-year-old Turkish administrator is now not ruling out a permanent move for the Nigeria international, when addressing his future at a press conference earlier today.
In quotes relayed by Kontra Spor, he said: Osimhen is a Galatasaray player. He is a very successful player. We are proud to have Turkish football fans watch such a player.
“This is one of Galatasaray’s missions. Look back; Sneijder, Drogba, Hagi, Icardi, Osimhen… Galatasaray has a pioneering role in this sense, a mission to have Turkish people watch world stars. Osimhen is our player this season.
“At the end of the season, during the transfer period, of course, all clubs, everyone wants to transfer Osimhen. One of the most important factors is spending limits.
“It is too early for that. As you know, transfer capacity emerges within the limits. Therefore, let me say that this process continues, Galatasaray will be chasing the 5th star in the league until the end of the season.
“This is its most important vision and goal. Galatasaray is a club that wants to have both its fans and Turkish football fans watch world star.”
Osimhen is expected to play a big role for Okan Buruk’s side as they seek to defend their Süper Lig crown as well as win other available trophies this campaign, particularly in the absence of star striker Mauro Icardi who is expected to spend several months on the sidelines.
Abdulkareem Abdulhamid
