Galatasaray have reportedly turned down a player-plus-cash approach from Arsenal that included Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres and €30m for Nigerian star Victor Osimhen.
According to Turkish journalist Ömer Faruk Özcan, via Nexus Sports, top Arsenal representatives travelled to Istanbul in a bid to persuade the Turkish champions to release Osimhen.
The proposal reportedly involved Gyökeres moving to Galatasaray, along with an additional €30m, in exchange for the Super Eagles striker.
However, Galatasaray rejected the offer outright, maintaining that Osimhen is among the most valuable forwards in world football and insisting they will only entertain bids that match their reported valuation of between €130m and €150m.
The Turkish champions’ firm stance reflects Osimhen’s outstanding performances since making his move permanent.
The Nigeria international has registered 59 goals and 16 assists in 74 appearances across all competitions, helping Galatasaray secure consecutive Turkish Super Lig titles while strengthening their status as regular UEFA Champions League participants.
His displays have also made him one of the club’s most adored players under head coach Okan Buruk.
Arsenal’s admiration for Osimhen is long-standing. Sporting director Andrea Berta had previously travelled to Istanbul to monitor the striker, and the latest approach comes amid scrutiny over Gyökeres’ adjustment following his 2025 transfer from Sporting CP.
Even so, convincing Galatasaray to sell remains a major challenge.
Osimhen committed his future to the club in July 2025 by signing a four-year contract that runs until June 2029.
The deal, reportedly worth around €21m net annually through wages, loyalty bonuses and image-rights payments, is believed to be the most lucrative player package in Turkish football history.
Galatasaray completed his permanent signing from Napoli for €75m, with the Serie A side retaining a 10 per cent sell-on clause. The agreement also includes a provision preventing Galatasaray from selling Osimhen to another Italian club before 2027 without incurring a significant financial penalty.
Despite ongoing transfer speculation, Osimhen has given no indication that he wants to leave. The striker is said to have held positive talks with Buruk and club officials before rejoining the squad for pre-season preparations.
Football transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, has also reported that the situation remains under control, with the Nigerian forward understood to be content in Istanbul unless an English club submits an exceptional offer.
