Victor Osimhen a Last Resort for Barcelona as Club Prioritises Julian Alvarez and Joao Pedro in Summer Transfer Window

Victor Osimhen remains on Barcelona’s radar this summer, but the Super Eagles striker is far from the Catalan club’s preferred choice as they look to address a significant void in their attacking line following Robert Lewandowski’s impending departure.

According to Pulse Sports, citing a report from Sport via journalist Reshad Rahman, Osimhen does not command sufficient support within the Barcelona hierarchy to be considered a primary target. Rahman stated on social media: “Víctor Osimhen doesn’t generate enough consensus in the club and is only deemed as among the potential last resorts if the main options don’t happen.”

The 27-year-old Nigerian international is currently contracted to Galatasaray, having joined the Turkish champions from Napoli in 2025 in a deal worth €75 million. With three years remaining on that contract, any club seeking to acquire Osimhen this summer would face a similarly substantial fee — reports suggest Barcelona would need to spend in the region of €75 million to secure his services.

Barcelona’s primary striker target, according to multiple reports, is Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez, with Chelsea forward Joao Pedro identified as the second option. However, both moves face significant obstacles, with Atletico Madrid and Chelsea reportedly unwilling to sanction the sale of either player. Should Hansi Flick’s side fail to land either Alvarez or Pedro, Osimhen could then emerge as a viable alternative.

The urgency to recruit a striker stems from Lewandowski’s confirmed exit from Camp Nou at the end of the current season. The Polish veteran has been a cornerstone of Barcelona’s attack, and his departure leaves the LaLiga champions with a pressing need for a proven goal-scorer capable of leading their front line.

Osimhen’s situation at Galatasaray has attracted considerable attention from European clubs this summer. The former Lille striker enjoyed a prolific spell at Napoli before his €75 million move to Istanbul, and his performances in Turkey have continued to draw interest from top-tier sides across the continent. Barcelona, however, appear reluctant to commit to the Nigerian as anything more than a contingency plan.

The Galatasaray president has also entered the discussion publicly. According to a separate report cited by Pulse Sports, the club’s chairman fired a direct response at Barcelona over their pursuit of Osimhen, signalling that any negotiation would not be straightforward even if the Spanish club escalated their interest.

For Osimhen, the coming weeks will be pivotal. If Barcelona’s preferred targets remain unavailable, the Nigeria international could find himself at the centre of one of the summer’s most high-profile transfers. His potential move to LaLiga would represent another significant chapter in a career that has already taken him from Ligue 1 to Serie A and now the Turkish Süper Lig.