Andres Iniesta wants Barcelona to go back in for Victor Osimhen, even after the Catalan club quietly shelved their interest in the Super Eagles striker earlier this summer.
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Former Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta has told his old club to pursue Victor Osimhen as the ideal long term replacement for Robert Lewandowski, who left for Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire this summer. The Catalan giants have been searching for a new frontman ever since.
Speaking to NTV Spor, Iniesta was direct about where he thinks Barcelona should look. “Lamine Yamal is a fantastic player, but I wouldn’t prefer him playing as a number 9. If Ferran Torres leaves, I would strongly advise Deco to sign a striker,” he said. “I don’t think Atletico Madrid will let Julian Alvarez go. I would suggest they sign Victor Osimhen. He’s a fantastic goalscorer and one of the best replacements for Robert Lewandowski.”
Barcelona had already looked at Osimhen once this summer before pulling back. Reports at the time suggested the club’s recruitment team viewed a deal as financially unworkable given his market value and wage demands, even though sporting director Deco was known to rate him highly as a Lewandowski successor.
Galatasaray’s own stance has shifted just as much. The Turkish champions initially floated an asking price for their prized striker but have since backtracked, signalling they’d rather keep hold of him than cash in this window. Fans following how the saga develops can check Bet9ja’s YOHAIG code as the European transfer window edges toward its close.
Osimhen hasn’t been short of admirers regardless of Barcelona’s hesitation. Arsenal, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, Tottenham and Atletico Madrid have all been credited with interest at various points this year, with Galatasaray officials quoting figures anywhere between 100 million and 150 million euros depending on who’s asking.
The interest isn’t hard to explain given how he’s played. Osimhen has racked up 20 goals and seven assists in 31 appearances across all competitions this season, numbers that have kept him firmly in the conversation as one of the most productive number 9s in European football. New Bet9ja users tracking the transfer window can check Bet9ja’s current promo code before deadline day arrives.
His move to Galatasaray was made permanent for 75 million euros after an initial loan from Napoli, and he currently has a contract at the club running through June 2029 with no release clause built in, giving the Turkish side full control over any potential exit.
That contractual security is exactly why Barcelona’s interest keeps resurfacing without going anywhere concrete. Anyone following the wider race for a marquee number 9 this summer can check how to get the Bet9ja promotion code as more clubs weigh their options.
For now, Iniesta’s endorsement adds another respected voice to a growing chorus around Osimhen, even if Barcelona’s own recruitment team have already shown they’re not ready to meet Galatasaray’s demands just yet.
📌 Did You Know?
- Osimhen won the Serie A title with Napoli in 2022/23, the club’s first Scudetto in more than three decades.
- He was named African Player of the Year in 2023 following his exploits in Naples.
- His permanent move to Galatasaray in 2025 followed an initial loan spell that began in September 2024.
- Robert Lewandowski’s exit to Chicago Fire this summer is what first opened up Barcelona’s need for a new senior striker.
- Former Barcelona striker Thierry Henry had also previously urged the club to pursue a top-level number 9 in Osimhen’s mould.
- Osimhen scored 76 goals in 133 appearances during his time at Napoli before his move to Turkish football.
- Galatasaray vice president Abdullah Kavukcu has claimed Osimhen’s value has doubled since the club signed him permanently.
