Victor Osimhen may have slipped under the radar during his time in Italy this season, but his sensational comeback in Turkey has put him right back at the center of European football attention.
The Nigerian striker, who had a public falling out with Napoli’s manager Antonio Conte last summer, was sent out on loan to Turkish powerhouse Galatasaray.
That move, initially seen as a step down, turned out to be a masterstroke — not only for Osimhen but also for Galatasaray.
At 26, Osimhen has enjoyed the most prolific season of his career, netting an incredible 36 goals across all competitions.
Out of those, 25 came in the Turkish Super Lig, helping Galatasaray secure the league title and hold off fierce rivals Fenerbahce — now managed by José Mourinho — by a commanding 11-point margin.
Fans in Istanbul now revere him as a hero, recognizing that without his goals, the championship would have likely slipped through their fingers.
His extraordinary performances have reignited transfer speculation, with Manchester United emerging as a serious contender to sign him this summer.
The Premier League giants have long kept tabs on Osimhen, and his resurgence couldn’t come at a better time for a club desperate to solve their goalscoring issues.
While Rasmus Højlund has shown promise, doubts persist about his reliability as a consistent top-tier striker.
United’s management is now considering a bold move for Osimhen, with discussions reportedly underway about a potential deal that might involve both cash and a player — possibly Greenwood or even Højlund — to bring down the striker’s €130 million (£109 million) release clause.
The issues between Osimhen and Conte seem irreparable, meaning his return to Napoli is highly unlikely.
With the Italian club undergoing a rebuild, Osimhen’s permanent exit looks all but certain.
And with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS aiming to bring in marquee names who can immediately impact results, Osimhen appears to be the perfect fit.
Should United complete this move, it could set off a major chain reaction.
Greenwood might finally exit the club permanently, while Højlund could be loaned or sold to make space for the Nigerian star.
Additionally, other striker targets like Jonathan David or Joshua Zirkzee may be pushed aside in favor of going all-in for Osimhen.
Ultimately, Victor Osimhen has reminded Europe — and Manchester United in particular — that he’s still one of the deadliest forwards in the game.
If United want to close the gap on rivals like Manchester City, securing Osimhen could be their most decisive step yet.
