Victor Osimhen is set to make his comeback tonight as Galatasaray host Gençlerbirliği in the Turkish Cup quarter final at Rams Park, in a return that coincides with reports that Real Madrid have joined Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in the battle for the Super Eagles striker.
Osimhen only returned to full training last week after recovering from an arm injury sustained in the Champions League round of 16 clash against Liverpool, which sidelined him for four consecutive league matches. According to Turkish outlet Sabah, he is expected to feature for about 15 to 20 minutes against Gençlerbirliği as coach Okan Buruk carefully manages his workload ahead of Sunday’s high stakes Intercontinental Derby against Fenerbahçe.
Galatasaray sit four points clear at the top of the Turkish Süper Lig after a 2 1 away win over Gençlerbirliği at the weekend, a game Osimhen missed on medical advice. His imminent return is seen as a major boost for the title run in and has further sharpened transfer interest from Europe’s elite.
Spanish outlet Futbol Fichajes reports that Real Madrid are actively targeting a specialist number nine this summer and have identified Osimhen as a priority option, joining Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in the race. Barcelona are planning a major reshuffle of their forward line, while Atletico could lose both Alexander Sørloth and Julián Álvarez at the end of the season and view the Nigerian as an ideal replacement.
The financial stakes are huge. Galatasaray paid Napoli 75 million euros for Osimhen last summer, handing him a contract running until 2029 in what was described as a Turkish transfer record. Earlier reports suggested the Istanbul giants would hold out for around 150 million euros, though a recent CIES valuation puts the striker at 104.7 million euros — a figure seen as more realistic for a club of Real Madrid’s stature.
Osimhen has made 29 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring 19 goals and providing seven assists for Galatasaray. At international level, he has 35 goals in 52 games for Nigeria, underlining his reputation as one of the most feared centre forwards in world football.
Despite repeatedly professing his love for Galatasaray and their fans, the lure of La Liga and particularly the Spanish capital could prove decisive if a concrete offer arrives. For now, however, all eyes are on Rams Park tonight, where his first minutes back from injury will serve as a timely reminder to every interested club of exactly what is at stake.
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