The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Galatasaray

  • Osimhen wants Onyedika at Galatasaray

    Osimhen wants Onyedika at Galatasaray

    Victor Osimhen has been trying to convince fellow Super Eagles star Raphael Onyedika to join him at Galatasaray.

    Voetbalnieuws.be has reported that Galatasaray are interested in defensive midfielder Onyedika.

    While Onyedika was previously linked with a transfer to the Premier League, Galatasaray are mentioned as a potential destination.

    According to Turkish media, Onyedika is the top priority for the club from Istanbul.

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    Coach Okan Buruk has admired the 24-year-old midfielder for some time, and Victor Osimhen is also advocating for the transfer. Osimhen might personally attempt to convince Onyedika, as they are acquainted through the Nigerian national team.

    However, Club Brugge’s technical director, Dévy Rigaux, recently expressed hope that Onyedika would sign a new contract and remain for years, adding that a transfer is not currently part of the club’s plans.

  • Galatasaray ready to make UCL statement – Osimhen

    Galatasaray ready to make UCL statement – Osimhen

    Nigeria international Victor Osimhen has expressed confidence that Galatasaray can make a strong impression in this season’s UEFA Champions League.

    The Turkish champions returned to Europe’s elite competition after a one-year absence, though their campaign began with a disappointing 4-1 loss to German side Eintracht Frankfurt.

    Okan Buruk’s men, however, responded impressively, recording back-to-back home victories against former champions Liverpool and Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt — with Osimhen scoring three goals across both matches.

    Ahead of their upcoming clash against Ajax on Wednesday, the Super Eagles forward reaffirmed the team’s determination to make their mark on the continental stage.

    Read Also: Osimhen eyes UCL glory with Galatasaray

    “I spoke with the President when I arrived here and we want to really make a statement in the Champions League,” Osimhen told UEFA.com.

    “We want to show that, in Turkey, we are the team that the whole world will know this year because we actually did something amazing in Europe.

    “We’ve dominated the league for years. We will keep on dominating it, but now it’s time to make a statement in the most prestigious games, Champions League games, because it’s beautiful when you play in the Champions League. So, for us, we want to make a statement.”

  • Galatasaray trolls Liverpool after huge Champions League win

    Galatasaray trolls Liverpool after huge Champions League win

    Galatasaray stunned Liverpool with a 1-0 win in the UEFA Champions League phase. Victor Osimhen netted home a first-half penalty in a matchup in which Liverpool dominated possession (67.1% to 32.9%) and shot attempts (16-9).

    But Galatasaray was able to hold on, securing its first victory of the competition. The club then proceeded to relay a simple troll aimed at Liverpool, captioning its post: “You’ll never walk alone, but sometimes you walk out without points.”

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    Since the 1960s, “You’ll Never Walk Alone” by Gerry and the Pacemakers has served as Liverpool’s famous anthem, sung by Kopites alike around the world. The motto appears on the top of the club’s badge.

    The “Shankly Gates” — built in honour of legendary Liverpool manager Bill Shankly — also feature the phrase.

    Tuesday’s defeat marked Liverpool’s second in a row, with the club set to face Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday.

  • Osimhen begins treatment for sprained ankle ligament

    Osimhen begins treatment for sprained ankle ligament

    Turkish Super Lig champions Galatasaray have provided an official update on the fitness of Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen following the injury he picked up during Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Rwanda last weekend.

    The 25-year-old forward, who was forced off with an ankle problem in Kigali, returned to Turkey on Sunday aboard a private jet arranged by the club.

    Upon arrival, he underwent comprehensive medical tests at Galatasaray’s partner hospital.

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    Team doctor, Op. Dr. Yener İnce, confirmed the outcome of the examinations:

    “During the examinations carried out today on our first-team player, Victor Osimhen, a moderate ankle ligament sprain (with stretching and bleeding) was diagnosed. The necessary treatment has been initiated to ensure his return to the pitch as soon as possible.”

    The club is yet to specify a recovery timeline but Osimhen’s condition will be closely monitored in the coming days.

  • We are always afraid to send Osimhen to Nigeria – Galatasaray coach

    We are always afraid to send Osimhen to Nigeria – Galatasaray coach

    Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk has admitted he develops “tremendous tension” whenever Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen leaves for international duty.

    Osimhen, who plays a key role for club and country, has been ruled out of Nigeria’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against South Africa after picking up an injury in the 1-0 victory over Rwanda in Uyo on Saturday.

    Reacting to the situation, Buruk revealed that the Turkish champions are monitoring the striker’s condition closely.

    “If there is a problem with Osimhen, we want to send a plane immediately and bring him back to Türkiye. We hope it’s nothing serious,” Buruk told Now Spor, as quoted by habersarikirmizi.

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    He further explained the tension he feels anytime the 25-year-old is on international duty.

    “I always have fears about sending him to the national team, but tonight we experienced a bit of that. I was at dinner when the waiter came to me with a phone in his hand and showed me the news about Osimhen. We reached him, and the information we received is that he has pain in his foot.”

    Osimhen’s absence is a huge blow for the Super Eagles, who face Bafana Bafana in Bloemfontein on Tuesday as they continue their push for a World Cup ticket.

  • Galatasaray break Turkish transfer record to sign Osimhen

    Galatasaray break Turkish transfer record to sign Osimhen

    In what has been  of the most headline-grabbing transfers of the summer, Victor Osimhen, yesterday  completed his transfer  from Napoli  to Galatasaray after the Turkish giants forked out a record 75 million euros (85.74 million dollars)-which make the Nigerian the most expensive incoming transfer in Turkish soccer.

    Osimhen’s transfer shattered the previous record set by Fenerbahce when they signed Youssef En-Nesyri from Sevilla on a five-year contract for 20 million euros in July last year.

    As part of the agreement, 10% of any future profit from Osimhen’s next transfer will be paid to SSC Napoli, Galatasaray said.

    “A four-year contract has been signed with the player, starting from the 2025-2026 season” Galatasaray said.

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    According to the agreement, the 26-year-old will receive net guaranteed salary of 15.0 million euros for each season.

    Osimhen will also get a net loyalty bonus of 1.0 million euros per season and 5.0 million euros as image rights payments — compensating for the use of his name, image, and likeness in the club’s branding and promotional activities.

    Napoli also confirmed the terms of the deal.

    Osimhen had been linked with a move away from Napoli last year but the Nigeria international had seen a permanent move collapse on deadline day of the close season transfer window.

    He subsequently joined Galatasaray on loan for the 2024-25 season, where he delivered in an outstanding campaign with 37 goals and eight assists in 41 appearances across all competitions, leading them to a 25th Turkish league title.

  • Galatasaray to sell training facilities for Osimhen deal

    Galatasaray to sell training facilities for Osimhen deal

    Galatasaray are set to fund a remarkable transfer window in which they will beat Arsenal to the signing of Leroy Sane and potentially land top target Victor Osimhen from Napoli by selling their training ground.

    Sky Sport Deutschland reports that Gala are poised to go to extraordinary lengths this summer to achieve their ambitions in the transfer market, with a sale of their training facilities earmarked around €800-900 million in order to flood their first team with talent.

    Osimhen was signed on loan from Napoli last summer and proved a roaring success, and while he continues to be linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League, the Istanbul outfit are still hopeful they can persuade him to remain in Turkey.

    Chelsea and Manchester United continue to be linked with the striker, with the Old Trafford club coming increasingly into focus in recent days.

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    The Nigeria international has demanded a contract worth at least €13m per year while his transfer fee is expected to be around €75m.

    On top of this, David Ornstein of The Athletic has confirmed that Galatasaray have agreed to sign free agent Leroy Sane from Bayern Munich in a sensational swoop.

    Although there were links primarily with Arsenal, where he is heavily appreciated by Mikel Arteta, Bayern seemed to have agreed terms with the player. However, Sane changed agent and appears destined to make a lucrative move to Galatasaray, who beat the Gunners, Al-Hilal and Fenerbahce to his signing.

    Ornstein reports that Sane will earn €15m per year over the course of a three-year contract.

  • Osimhen relishes Galatasaray’s title success

    Osimhen relishes Galatasaray’s title success

    Victor Osimhen has expressed delight after helping Galatasaray clinch the Turkish Super Lig title.

    The Nigerian striker played a key role in Okan Buruk’s side sealing their third consecutive league crown with a commanding 3-0 win over Kayserispor at the RAMS Park on Sunday.

    Osimhen opened the scoring in the 26th minute, setting the tone for Galatasaray’s dominant performance. The 26-year-old has now netted an impressive 36 goals across all competitions for the Yellow and Reds this season.

    Read Also: Osimhen scores as Galatasaray seal Turkish title

    “I feel very happy. It is incredible to take part in Galatasaray’s history and reach the fifth star. We have two matches left,” Osimhen was quoted by club’s official website.

    ” We will look to have fun. I am enjoying the moment at the moment. I am not thinking about my future.”

  • Osimhen’s brace leads Galatasaray to Turkish Cup glory

    Osimhen’s brace leads Galatasaray to Turkish Cup glory

    Napoli  offer Nigerian ace  90 million  euros  to Juventus  

    Nigeria International  striker Victor Osimhen scored a stunning brace last night as he helped  Galatasaray to win the  Turkish  Cup  following a 3-0 flourish  over Trabzonspor complete with another  Nigerian, Anthony Nwakaeme.

    Galatasaray bidding for a domestic club,  showed their intent as  early as the  fifth minute when Baris Alper Yılmaz  grabbed the curtain raiser at the Gaziantep Stadium.

    It then became a ding dong affair  with Trabzonspor  charging for the equaliser  but it was Galatasaray  that came back smoking  after the interval as  Osimhen  grabbed  his brace in the 46th  and 63rd minute of  the  lively encounter.

     Result meant  Osimhen  has clinched his first  Turkish honour while on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli.

    Incidentally, Galatasaray  are on the verge of clinching their  25th Turkish Super Lig championship after they secured a  2-0 away win  Trabzonspor (again)  last Saturday.

    Osimhen’s Galatasaray  are currently  on top of the  rack with  an impressive  86 points  with their closest challenger,  Fenerbahce on 78 points  with five more  matches to go  in the on-going campaign.

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    Osimhen  has been in a rich vein of  form since he moved to Galatasaray  and  he took his  goal tally to an astonishing  35 goals  in 39 appearances in all competition following last night’s  success in the Turkish Cup.

    In a related development,  there are fresh claims  that Napoli   would not  do Juventus any favour in their pursuit of the Nigeria International striker.

    According to Tuttojuve  as per  Football Transfers,  Napoli  are reluctant to lose Osimhen  to a direct rival, and they are reportedly demanding a fee of 90 million euros.

     This is even though Osimhen’s contract is set to expire in the summer of 2026.

    Napoli’s firm position, according to the Italian news outlet,  has complicated Juventus’ pursuit. While foreign clubs are believed to be able to activate a release clause of 75 million euros, the club have made it clear they will not offer Juventus any such concession.

  • Osimhen, Galatasaray on the cusp of historic Turkish double

    Osimhen, Galatasaray on the cusp of historic Turkish double

    Nigerian International Victor Osimhen and his Club, Galatasaray edged closer to a Turkish domestic double on Saturday as they defeated Trabzonspor 2-0 away in the Turkish League. 

    With three matches left to play, Galatasaray will confirm their League title retention if they defeat 13th placed Kayserispur next weekend in front of their vociferous home fans. 

    But before that, they could also lay their hands on another silverware, the Turkish Cup as they face today’s opponents, Trabzonspor again on Wednesday in the final of the Turkish Cup. 

    Victory in that game and victory next Sunday will ensure that the on loan Nigerian International and his Club will get his hands on two trophies same week.

    With an eight points lead ahead of second placed Fenerbahce, a win for  Galatasaray next weekend will put the League out of reach for their rivals. 

    Osimhen was on for 90 minutes in the 2-0 win today and was a torn in the flesh of the opponents.

    Even though he did not get on the score sheet, he missed a few chances as Spanish International, Morata and defender Bardacki scored to put the club just a match away from securing another league trophy. 

    Galatasaray’s next league opponents, Kayserispur suffered a 4-1 drubbing in the reverse fixture with Osimhen scoring two goals in that tie. 

    It will be a well deserved League victory for Osimhen who endured humiliating treatment from his parent club, Napoli at the start of the season before Galatasaray stepped in to offer him a season long loan life line. 

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    He is currently leading the League goals chart with 24 goals going into the remaining three games of the season. 

    With 33 goals in all competitions this season so far, the in form Osimhen is set to be involved in another bidding war from top European clubs who are desperate for his signature to bolster their teams for next season. 

    Manchester United appear to be leading the pack this season with the club said to be ready to offer in excess of 60 million Euros to Napoli to secure the services of the prolific Nigerian striker.