Victor Osimhen poses with the match ball and the Player of the Match award after scoring a hat-trick in the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 league phase match between AFC Ajax and Galatasaray at the Johan Cruijff Arena…on Wednesday.
Barcelona are reportedly eyeing Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen as a potential replacement for veteran forward Robert Lewandowski.
The Nigeria international has been in scintillating form since joining the Turkish giants permanently from Napoli for around €75m in the summer, scoring nine goals in 11 appearances across all competitions this season.
According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, Barcelona see Osimhen as a potential strategic investment.
The report indicates that Sporting Director Deco values him for his “profile, potential and cost,” making him a viable option to strengthen their already potent attack.
Fichajes states that while the source does not specify whether Osimhen would favour a move to Catalonia, the Blaugrana are considering the forward, whose penalty-box threat and physical attributes position him as a short and long-term solution to Lewandowski.
Barcelona are also said to appreciate the striker’s leadership qualities and intensity, which they consider essential to their sporting project under Hansi Flick.
Although the forward earns a reported €246,000 (£217,000), which is significantly lower than Lewandowski’s €400,000 (£350,000), Galatasaray will seek a substantial transfer fee for the player they signed for around €75m (£66m) from Napoli.
The 26-year-old scored 37 goals last term for the Istanbul giants across 41 appearances as Gala won the league and cup double, and he has followed that up with an equally strong start to the 2025/26 campaign.
Osimhen’s form has recently prompted transfer links with European champions Paris Saint-Germain and other top clubs, including Chelsea and Manchester United, who are said to be monitoring him ahead of the January transfer window.
His standout performance this season includes a hat-trick in Gala’s 3-0 victory over Ajax in the Champions League, which has further enhanced his reputation on the continental stage.
Galatasaray president Dursun Özbek recently described Osimhen as the most valuable player in the Turkish Super Lig.
Speaking at an awards ceremony in Istanbul, Özbek was asked whether reports suggesting Galatasaray would only consider bids around €150m for Osimhen were true.
“Osimhen is one of the most valuable footballers in Türkiye,” Özbek said, according to Sporx. “I don’t want to comment on his numbers. There is one thing all Turkish football fans agree on: Osimhen is the league’s most valuable player.”
All the clubs monitoring Osimhen have been linked to him before. There are no Italian clubs amongst his latest suitors because Napoli and Galatasaray agreed that the player would not be sold to Italy until 2027.
As part of their agreement, 10 per cent of any future fee from Osimhen’s next transfer will also be paid to Napoli.
