Turkish Transfer Expert Questions Galatasaray Over Osimhen Backup

Turkish football transfer specialist Burhan Can Terzi has questioned Galatasaray’s decision not to sign another experienced striker capable of providing stronger competition and cover for Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen during the summer transfer window.

Terzi raised the issue after Osimhen suffered a groin injury during Galatasaray’s 3–2 Turkish Süper Lig victory over İstanbul Başakşehir.

The Nigeria international scored Galatasaray’s opening goal before being forced off in the 33rd minute. Medical examinations later revealed an advanced-moderate strain involving bleeding in his right adductor muscle group. He is expected to be sidelined for around two to three weeks.

Osimhen subsequently missed Galatasaray’s Champions League opener against Sporting CP, with the Turkish champions losing 3–1 in Lisbon on September 9.

Speaking about the situation, Terzi questioned why Galatasaray’s management did not bring in another proven striker earlier in the transfer window.

"Osimhen’s not here [today]. Why didn’t you bring in your striker back in June? From June to September, the Galatasaray management left Okan Buruk without a striker,” Terzi said, according to Forza Cimbom."

Galatasaray strengthened several areas of the squad during the summer, bringing in players including Rafael Leão, Aleksey Batrakov, Deniz Gül and Lesley Ugochukwu.

However, Terzi’s criticism centres on the club not adding another established centre-forward who could immediately shoulder the goalscoring responsibility when Osimhen is unavailable.

The issue has become more noticeable because Osimhen had made a prolific start to the new campaign, scoring six goals in his first four Süper Lig appearances before the injury.

His absence was felt in Galatasaray’s Champions League defeat to Sporting CP, although the result cannot solely be attributed to the Nigerian striker’s absence.

With Osimhen expected to spend several weeks on the sidelines, Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk will now have to find a way to maintain the team’s attacking threat without one of its most important goalscorers.