Galatasaray president Dursun Ozbek has praised Victor Osimhen’s high level of intensity, describing it as a key attribute that sets him apart from other players at the club.
The Super Eagles star joined the Turkish club on an initial loan deal in 2024, before the deal was made permanent last summer for a fee of about €75 million, marking the most expensive transfer in Turkish football history.
In his first season at the Lions, Osimhen scored 37 goals across all competitions, breaking Mario Jardel’s record for the most goals by a foreign player in a single season, while also helping the club to league and cup double honours.
The Nigerian forward has carried that momentum into the current campaign, scoring 17 times across all competitions including seven in the UEFA Champions League, despite missing several matches with injury and also while on duty with Nigeria at the 2025 African Cup of Nations tournament.
What Ozbek said about Osimhen
Dursun Ozbek, who is in his second term as president of Galatasaray after his re-election in 2022, has spoken highly about Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen’s impact at the club.
The 76-year-old hailed the Super Eagles star’s performance and highlighted his high intensity as a major aspect of his game.
“Osimhen is the player that excites me the most after Metin Oktay among the strikers who have ever come to Galatasaray”, Ozbek admitted.
“He is an extraordinary player. We follow him with interest and admiration everywhere. He competes with high intensity as if he is in a match, even in training, without choosing matches. Sometimes we fear he might get injured, but he is a very good professional and takes great care of himself.”
Ozbek also dismissed talks of an exit for Osimhen, despite several interests from top European clubs.
The Nigerian forward has been linked with moves to the likes of Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain in recent weeks, although the Galatasaray president has now revealed that he remains committed to the club.
“There is no exit clause in Osimhen’s contract. He is an extremely successful player who will serve Galatasaray for many years”, Ozbek added.
“When he was transferred, it was discussed that the transfer fee was high, but today it is believed that the money given is low and that the player’s value is much higher.”
Galatasaray will return to action in the Turkish Super League on Saturday when they face Besiktas in a high-stakes affair, hoping to increase their lead at the top of the standings.
