Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk has broken his silence on the mounting transfer speculation surrounding Nigeria international Victor Osimhen, insisting the Super Eagles striker remains firmly part of the club’s plans heading into the summer window.
Speaking publicly on the matter for the first time, Buruk was unequivocal. “No such issue has come to us,” the Turkish coach said, as quoted by Forza Cimbom via Pulse Sports. “There is nothing at the moment. Hopefully, he will continue his path at Galatasaray.”
The comments come amid a flurry of reported interest from some of European football’s most prominent clubs. Barcelona, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Atletico Madrid, Juventus, and Chelsea have all been linked with a move for the 27-year-old forward. The breadth of interest underscores the level of regard in which Osimhen is held across the continent.
The speculation intensified this week following reports that Atletico Madrid had a bid in the region of €120 million turned down by Galatasaray, a development that signals the Istanbul club’s firm intention to retain their prize asset. The rejection of such a significant fee reflects how central Osimhen has become to the club’s identity and ambitions.
The Nigerian striker has been the driving force behind Galatasaray’s sustained period of domestic dominance, contributing heavily to back-to-back Turkish Super Lig title wins. His performances at the Rams Park have elevated his profile considerably since his loan move from Napoli — a spell that preceded a permanent transfer — and positioned him among the most dangerous centre-forwards in European football.
Osimhen’s trajectory from Napoli, where he fired the Naples club to the Serie A title in the 2022-23 season — their first Scudetto in 33 years — to leading Galatasaray’s charge in Turkey has been one of the more compelling storylines in club football over recent years. His consistency in front of goal across multiple leagues has made him one of the most sought-after strikers on the market.
The timing of Buruk’s comments is notable. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup currently underway, transfer activity across Europe is building steadily, and clubs with interest in top targets are expected to accelerate formal approaches in the coming weeks. Whether Galatasaray’s stance holds under continued financial pressure from interested parties remains an open question.
Osimhen’s situation at international level adds further context. Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, meaning the striker enters what would have been a tournament summer without competitive international commitments — a factor that could influence both his mindset and the pace of any potential transfer negotiations.
For now, Buruk’s message is clear: Osimhen is not for sale, and no serious dialogue has commenced with any prospective buyer. How long that position remains tenable, given the scale of reported interest and the sums being discussed, will be one of the defining storylines of the summer transfer window.
