Galatasaray President Dursun Özbek Rejects €100 Million Victor Osimhen Sale, Dismissing Barcelona’s Reported Valuation

Galatasaray president Dursun Özbek has publicly rejected the idea of selling Victor Osimhen for €100 million, directly countering widespread reports that Barcelona had identified that sum as their target bid for the Super Eagles striker.

Özbek made his position clear while speaking at celebrations marking the club’s recently won Süper Lig title. “How much would Osimhen be worth if we put him up for sale now? I wouldn’t sell him for 100 million; why would I? Osimhen encouraged us. He did his part, both in terms of prestige and benefit. It’s a good thing we signed him,” the president stated.

The 27-year-old Nigerian international completed a standout season in Turkey, registering 22 goals and eight assists across 33 appearances in all competitions — a return that has only strengthened the club’s resolve to retain him. Osimhen joined Galatasaray on loan from Napoli before the arrangement was made permanent, and his performances have made him central to the club’s ambitions.

The resistance to a €100 million sale is not limited to Özbek alone. Club vice president Abdullah Kavukçu has gone even further, according to reports, stating that he personally would not sanction a transfer even at €150 million, while acknowledging that the final decision ultimately lies with the president and the board of directors. The unified stance from within the Galatasaray hierarchy signals that potential suitors face a considerable financial and negotiating obstacle.

With that barrier in place, Barcelona appears to have already shifted direction. According to reports, the Spanish club has pivoted its transfer focus toward Chelsea forward João Pedro as an alternative to Osimhen, suggesting that the Turkish club’s firm position has effectively ended that particular pursuit.

Osimhen’s market value has been a subject of significant debate since his record-breaking move to Napoli, where he won the Serie A title in the 2022-23 season — the club’s first Italian top-flight championship in over three decades. His consistent performances at club and international level for Nigeria have kept him among the most discussed strikers in European football.

For Galatasaray, retaining a player of Osimhen’s calibre also carries broader sporting significance. The club’s Süper Lig triumph adds to a run of domestic dominance, and holding onto their most dangerous attacking threat will be critical as they look to build on that success and make further inroads in European competition.

With the summer transfer window approaching, the situation surrounding Osimhen remains one of the more closely watched in European football. However, based on the statements from Galatasaray’s leadership, any club hoping to secure his services will need to exceed expectations — both financial and otherwise — by a considerable margin.