Galatasaray are reportedly considering rushing Victor Osimhen back into action ahead of his original recovery schedule, with the Super Lig leaders struggling to maintain their grip at the top of the table in the Nigerian forward’s absence.
The 27-year-old suffered a fractured right forearm during Galatasaray’s Champions League fixture against Liverpool, with medical staff initially targeting the high-stakes Intercontinental Derby against Fenerbahçe on April 26 as his return date. That plan now appears to have shifted significantly.
Galatasaray’s domestic form has deteriorated sharply since Osimhen was sidelined. A 2-1 defeat to Trabzonspor following the international break, compounded by a 1-1 draw against Kocaelispor at the weekend, has cost the defending champions five points in just eight days. The results have reduced what was once a comfortable lead at the summit to just two points over title rivals Fenerbahçe.
With pressure mounting, manager Okan Buruk has reportedly named Osimhen in the squad for this weekend’s Süper Lig fixture against Gençlerbirliği — a decision that underlines the urgency of Galatasaray’s situation. According to Sporx, Buruk’s plan is to introduce the striker from the bench, with his playing time determined by the match situation: up to 45 minutes if the team is trailing, or around 20 minutes at the end of the game if they hold a comfortable lead.
To reduce the risk of further damage to the fractured arm, which required corrective surgery, Osimhen is expected to play wearing a custom-designed protective brace. The precautionary measure reflects the delicate balance Galatasaray’s medical and technical staff are trying to strike between protecting the player and addressing a clear deficiency in the team’s attack.
Before sustaining the injury, Osimhen had been the central figure in Galatasaray’s offensive setup. The CAF 2023 Player of the Year had scored 12 goals in 19 Super Lig appearances this season, adding a further seven in European competition — a record that highlights just how much the Istanbul club have missed his contributions in recent weeks.
Osimhen joined Galatasaray on a season-long loan from Napoli in the summer of 2024 after a proposed permanent move to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli collapsed. The Nigerian international has since established himself as one of the most influential forwards in the Turkish top flight, and his fitness situation will be closely monitored given the scale of transfer interest surrounding him. According to reports, Barcelona have been linked with a bid that could exceed the fee paid for Neymar, though no formal offer has been confirmed.
With the Intercontinental Derby against Fenerbahçe now less than two weeks away, how Osimhen fares against Gençlerbirliği — and whether the gamble on his fitness pays off — could have significant consequences not only for Galatasaray’s title ambitions but also for the broader picture of his long-term availability in the run-in.
