Galatasaray and Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has revealed he is actively encouraging his Nigerian teammates — Ademola Lookman and Raphael Onyedika to consider a move to Galatasaray as the Turkish club targets reinforcements during the January transfer window.
Speaking after Galatasaray’s 1–1 Champions League draw with Atletico Madrid, Osimhen said he has spoken with Onyedika during AFCON 2025 and with Lookman during Nigeria’s recent World Cup qualifying matches about the possibility of joining him in Istanbul.
“I told them about Galatasaray, the fans, how big a club we are and how beautiful the country is,” Osimhen said. “I am trying to convince both of them. I would love for them to come to one of the biggest clubs in the world and play with us.”
He added that both players are “adults” capable of making their own decisions, but believes their arrival would be beneficial for Galatasaray, the squad and the fans.
Lookman, currently with Atalanta in Italy, has been linked with moves away amid transfer speculation, while Onyedika has been a key performer for Club Brugge and is reportedly seeking opportunities in bigger leagues.
EDITORIAL
Football rarely offers moments as telling as when a player becomes an emissary for his own club — not merely through goals and assists, but through influence and persuasion off the field. Victor Osimhen’s recent admission that he is actively trying to convince Ademola Lookman and Raphael Onyedika to join him at Galatasaray resonates far beyond mere transfer talk it speaks to the growing pull of a club and a player at the height of their powers.
Osimhen’s own journey arriving in Istanbul, dominating both domestically and in Europe, and expanding Galatasaray’s competitive presence has given him a unique platform. He is not simply a figurehead he is a persuasive voice within a club that seeks to blend ambition with identity. To advocate for fellow Nigerians is to articulate not just tactical need, but cultural affinity a bridge of understanding that can help players transition into new environments with a sense of belonging.
Lookman and Onyedika are not fringe talents. Lookman’s incisive movement and critical contributions at the international level make him an enticing target for any club with continental aspirations, while Onyedika’s methodical mastery of midfield balance has drawn admiring glances across Europe. That Osimhen would speak to both about life and football in Turkey suggests a deeper layer to transfer negotiations one rooted in personal testimony rather than boardroom fiat.
Football’s transfer markets are not moved by contracts alone they are influenced by relationships, conviction and narrative. Osimhen’s effort to shape that narrative shows his understanding of his own sway in the dressing room and beyond. Whether Lookman or Onyedika choose to make that leap remains their decision, but the very act of persuasion underscores a profound shift players as architects of destiny, not just actors in it.
DID YOU KNOW?
- Osimhen spoke with Onyedika during AFCON 2025 about the possibility of joining Galatasaray, highlighting early discussions.
- He also discussed a potential move with Lookman during Nigeria’s World Cup qualifiers, showing his sustained efforts.
- Osimhen described Galatasaray as one of the “biggest clubs in the world” and promoted its fans and country to his teammates.
- Lookman has been linked with exiting Atalanta amid transfer speculation this window, increasing chances of a possible move.
- Onyedika is considered a key midfielder for Club Brugge and is being monitored by several clubs across Europe, adding to the intrigue of his potential transfer.
