Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen will be the center of attraction when Galatasaray faces Fenerbahce in the highly anticipated Istanbul derby this Sunday, Soccernet.ng reports.
This weekend, two of Turkish football’s titans—Galatasaray and Fenerbahce—take to the pitch for a pivotal Süper Lig clash. Aside from the deep-rooted rivalry and rich history, the stakes are immense: the winner of this fixture could very well determine the trajectory of the league title race.
Entering the match, only four points separate the two sides. Galatasaray currently sits at the summit with 71 points, while Fenerbahce follows closely in second place with 67.
Both squads boast immense quality. The Yellow Canaries feature a roster of international stars, while Galatasaray counters with a brilliant lineup including Gabriel Sara, Lucas Torreira, Mauro Icardi, and, of course, Nigerian superstar Osimhen. On current form, the 27-year-old striker is arguably the most best player on the pitch.
Will Victor Osimhen Feature Against Fenerbahçe?
In the last 24 hours, doubts emerged regarding Osimhen’s participation. This is because Fenerbahce filed an appeal with the Turkish Football Federation (TFF), raising concerns about the Nigerian’s protective arm gear and its potential hazard to other players.
The gear was specially designed to protect his forearm following a fracture sustained against Liverpool last month. However, the TFF has ruled in favor of the striker, dismissing Fenerbahce’s appeal and granting Osimhen permission to wear the protector. Consequently, the former Napoli star is expected to start and lead the Cimbom attack.
Stars Align: European Giants Keep Tabs on Osimhen
According to a report by Onedio, several of Europe’s elite clubs—including Arsenal, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, and Juventus—have made scouting reservations at Rams Park. Their primary focus? Victor Osimhen and his teammate Baris Alper Yilmaz.
While Osimhen has been linked to these heavyweights in the past without a deal materializing, this heightened scouting presence suggests a formal move could be imminent this summer.
Galatasaray spent a Turkish-record €70 million to secure the Super Eagles talisman last year. Any club looking to prize him away will likely need to table an offer north of €100 million. For now, however, Osimhen’s focus will remain securing a victory in front of the home fans to all but guarantee the Süper Lig title.