Galatasaray’s record €75m signing of Victor Osimhen has caused a stir across Europe, especially after his impressive performance in the Champions League clash with Liverpool.
This contract, in addition to being a miracle for the Turkish club, also raises big questions about the hesitation of the Premier League giants, who seem to have missed a golden opportunity to strengthen their attack.
The Nigerian striker made an instant impact in Istanbul, overwhelming the opposition defence with his pace, power and relentless movement.
The cool penalty secured the win , but it was his energetic overall performance and the daring lob that almost went in that showed his class. Galatasaray clearly didn’t take any risks in recruiting the striker 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 in 1998.
The big question now is: Why haven’t any Premier League clubs stepped up? Victor Osimhen’s record against English opposition is remarkable, with six goals in six games against the English opposition.
Liverpool considered him, but instead pursued Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak. Arsenal went for Viktor Gyokeres, Chelsea bought Joao Pedro and Liam Delap, Manchester United brought in Benjamin Sesko, and Newcastle United turned to Nick Woltemade.
The reasons for this hesitation are understandable: The €75 million transfer fee is too large, his €15 million-a-year salary and €5 million in image rights put him among the highest-paid players in Europe, along with concerns about the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) schedule and a history of recurring injuries.
Doubts have also been raised about the Nigerian’s character, but those within Galatasaray have dismissed this, describing him as a cohesive figure in the dressing room and with a deep connection to the fans.
Victor Osimhen ultimately opted for Galatasaray, where he felt appreciated, despite Al Hilal offering him nearly double his wages. For Premier League clubs, this could be one of the biggest regrets of the transfer window, especially Liverpool.
The Kop need a striker with sharp finishing ability, and despite recruiting potential names, ignoring a proven solution like the 26-year-old star really raises a big question mark.
Watching him torment the Liverpool defence was a painful reminder of what could have been and could become one of the biggest ‘what if’ questions of the season.
