Arsenal Target Osimhen as Galatasaray Refuse to Sell
Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen has refused to rule out a move to Arsenal this summer, speaking publicly for the first time since reports emerged that the Premier League club had opened talks with the Turkish champions over a potential deal for the Nigeria international.
The 27-year-old, who scored twice in Galatasaray’s 2-2 opening-day draw with newly promoted Corum FK on Friday, addressed the growing transfer speculation after the match, adopting a diplomatic tone that left his future uncertain.
“There are always rumours during the transfer windows. I will focus on my job. I am focused on my work. We will see and think about what comes next then,” Osimhen said.
Despite keeping the door open to a potential departure, the former Lille and Napoli striker stressed that he remained fully committed to Galatasaray if he stays beyond the summer transfer deadline.
“It is going to be a tough season. The team is aware of that. I am ready to give everything for this club. This was an important wake-up call. It was a wake-up call for the players too,” he said.
Osimhen went over to apologise to the Galatasaray ultras after the final whistle, having felt responsible for his side’s failure to secure maximum points in their season opener. He called for a collective response from his teammates in the matches ahead.
“We have to give everything on the pitch. Our fans give us incredible energy, they always support us. We need to reciprocate. We need to gain momentum before the Champions League. We need to fight very well from the very first match,” he added.
Arsenal have held talks with Galatasaray over a potential move for Osimhen, according to multiple British and European reports, with the striker’s name surfacing as part of broader negotiations between the two clubs.
The discussions have centred on Arsenal forwards Gabriel Martinelli and Ethan Nwaneri, with Osimhen’s name also reportedly featuring in the negotiations. According to The Telegraph’s football news correspondent, Matt Law, Galatasaray have tabled a £38.4 million offer for Martinelli and have also expressed interest in Nwaneri, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Marseille.
It remains unclear whether Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta raised the possibility of signing Osimhen during those discussions, or whether Galatasaray made the striker available as part of the wider conversation. There has also been speculation that the three players could potentially be involved in a deal, although no agreement has been reached and the exact nature of the discussions remains unclear.
Despite the growing interest from Arsenal, Galatasaray president Dursun Ozbek has reiterated the club’s determination to keep Osimhen.
Speaking to Turkish outlet 343 Digital, Ozbek said Galatasaray would not accept any proposal that could negatively affect the club.
“I will not say ‘yes’ to any deal that would harm Galatasaray or not benefit Galatasaray. What I said about Baris Alper Yilmaz, I am now saying even more strongly about Osimhen. No matter how much the price is, I am not selling Osimhen,” Ozbek said.
Ozbek’s comments represent another strong indication that Galatasaray have no intention of allowing Osimhen to leave during the current transfer window, regardless of the size of any offer.
The Turkish champions have already demonstrated their resolve by rejecting a reported €130 million (£111 million) verbal offer from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal for the Nigerian striker earlier this week. German transfer journalist Florian Plettenberg reported that an intermediary acting on behalf of Al-Hilal conveyed the offer to Galatasaray on Wednesday, but the Turkish champions are unwilling to negotiate over the striker.
Arsenal have long admired Osimhen but had reportedly ranked the Nigerian below Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez on their list of preferred striker targets. Their pursuit of the Argentine has grown complicated, however, with Atletico said to be demanding a fee in excess of £100 million and refusing to negotiate even with Barcelona, who have already had an £86 million offer rejected this summer.
That impasse is understood to have prompted Arsenal to reconsider alternative options, with Osimhen returning to serious contention. Mikel Arteta’s side scored 71 Premier League goals last season and have so far failed to land other targets, leaving their forward line looking short ahead of the transfer deadline.
Spanish publication SPORT reported that Barcelona were offered the chance to sign Osimhen but have decided to pursue other options, a development that reportedly leaves Arsenal with a clearer pathway to the Nigerian.
Osimhen joined Galatasaray permanently from Napoli in the summer of 2025 for €75 million (£64.8 million) following an initial loan season in Istanbul. He has since established himself as one of Europe’s most prolific forwards, scoring 59 goals in 74 appearances across his two campaigns in Turkey and helping Galatasaray win back-to-back Super Lig titles.
Last season, he netted 22 goals and provided six assists in 33 league appearances. His debut campaign in Turkey was even more remarkable, with 37 goals and seven assists across all competitions.
The Nigerian striker remains under contract with Galatasaray until June 2029, meaning Arsenal would have to negotiate a significant fee if they decide to make a formal approach. Transfermarkt currently values Osimhen at €75 million, although the €130 million Al-Hilal proposal shows that his importance to Galatasaray is being valued much higher by clubs willing to spend heavily.
As the transfer window enters its final weeks, Osimhen’s future is expected to remain one of the major talking points, with the player’s own comments doing little to dampen speculation and Galatasaray’s president digging in his heels.