Albayrak also acknowledged the financial hurdles associated with acquiring players of Osimhen’s status.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Former Galatasaray vice-president Abdurrahim Albayrak has said that despite the Turkish giants’ lofty ambition to compete at the pinnacle of European football next season, repeating the club’s record-setting acquisition of Victor Osimhen will be difficult.
He made this known during a recent candid interview with NTV, which was reported by Ajansspor.
Osimhen moved from Serie A club Napoli last summer after Galatasaray activated his release clause of 75 million euros (approximately N119 billion in Nigerian currency).
This transfer occurred despite significant interest from clubs in the Saudi Pro League and various teams within Europe’s top five leagues.
The deal, which secured the services of the former African Footballer of the Year on a permanent basis in July 2025, remains the largest single transfer in Turkish football history.
While analysing Galatasaray’s transfer strategy and long-term goals, Albayrak reflected on the influence Osimhen had following his notable arrival.
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He, however, noted that the decision to bring the Super Eagles forward to the Turkish league was a very difficult one.
“It is in the hearts of all Galatasaray fans, but to be realistic, the teams we are facing are very strong,” he said. “We signed Osimhen and paid 75 million euros. The entire world press was buzzing about it. He contributed a lot to Galatasaray. Paying 75 million euros a second or third time is very difficult right now.”
Albayrak further acknowledged the financial hurdles associated with acquiring players of Osimhen’s quality.
He added, “Galatasaray will certainly make good transfers. The dream of every Galatasaray management is to win the Champions League. God willing, just as He granted us the UEFA Cup, He will also grant us the Champions League.”
Despite the fact that three years of his four-year contract signed with Galatasaray remain active, Osimhen has been linked with a summer exit to European heavyweights such as Barcelona, Real Madrid, PSG, Arsenal and Chelsea.
