Galatasaray's president, Dursun Özbek, has issued a stern warning to clubs interested in acquiring Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen, emphasizing that the talented forward is firmly not for sale.
This declaration underscores the club's commitment to Osimhen, who is expected to play a pivotal role in their future endeavors.
The 26-year-old Osimhen recently showcased his exceptional talent by scoring a remarkable brace at RAMS Park during a key match on Wednesday. With this achievement, he etched his name in Galatasaray's history, becoming the first player to score in seven consecutive European matches, a record previously held by Burak Yilmaz, who accomplished this feat in six games.
Osimhen's impressive performances have garnered widespread acclaim throughout Europe, affirming his value after Galatasaray secured him with a record-breaking transfer fee of €75 million from Napoli.
The impressive match against Bodø/Glimt, the club's president expressed his admiration for Osimhen's contributions on the field, confirming there is no release clause in his contract.
“Osimhen’s contract does not have an exit clause. He is extremely successful and will serve Galatasaray for many years,” the 76-year-old stated, as reported by Gradual Television.
He acknowledged the notion that the transfer fee might seem steep, but he emphasized the rising market value of top talent in football today.
“It may be said that the amount we transferred (to Napoli) was high, but today the price of the football public service is low and the player’s value is much higher,” Özbek added, reinforcing the club’s transparent approach to contracts, which adhere strictly to the regulations of TFF and UEFA.
Abdullah Kavukçu, the vice-president of Galatasaray, also praised Osimhen for his outstanding performance and ability to influence matches.
“There are players in the world worth €140 million, but Osimhen is more talked about,” the 52-year-old noted, highlighting the competitiveness during the transfer negotiations. “They put in a bid much higher than ours in Naples; you can confirm. There’s been a lot of talk, we got it in the final. We had money like that, we got it! Galatasaray is a very big community. He’s worth it, and it’s been done. It’s not right to talk about this right now! We’ve seen what he’s doing in a game in the Champions League. We’re so happy he’s with us.”
Osimhen's scoring prowess has been crucial in sustaining Galatasaray's aspirations in both domestic and European competitions. His goals have directly contributed to key victories, which have earned the club approximately €18.8 million in Champions League entry bonuses, along with an additional €4.2 million from triumphs over renowned teams like Liverpool and Bodø/Glimt.
According to a report by the reputable Turkish news outlet Sporx, his performance has cumulatively generated an estimated €23 million for Galatasaray.
Beyond financial gains, Osimhen's relationship with the Galatasaray fan base has been electric. Within a matter of weeks after his arrival, the demand for Osimhen-branded merchandise soared, leading to the sale of 40,000 kits and masks through GS Stores, resulting in a staggering €8.19 million in merchandise sales.
On the pitch, Osimhen continues to make history. His brace in the commanding 3-1 victory over Bodø/Glimt not only extended his scoring streak to seven consecutive European matches but also established him as the fastest scorer in Galatasaray's Champions League history, finding the net just three minutes into the match.
With a remarkable tally of 42 goals in 49 appearances, Osimhen has risen to the 20th position on Galatasaray's all-time top scorers list, surpassing club legends like Xhevat Prekazi, who scored 41 goals, and Shabani Nonda, who netted 37. Furthermore, he now holds the title of the highest-scoring Nigerian player in Galatasaray's storied history, solidifying his legacy at the club.