New Galatasaray signing Victor Osimhen. Photo Credit: Galatasaray X Page
Fatih Karagümrük president Süleyman Hurma has admitted that if finances allowed, he would waste no time in bringing Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen to his club, Soccernet.ng reports.
Hurma’s comments comes even as his Fatih Karagümrük prepare to face the Galatasaray superstar in Friday’s Turkish Super Lig clash.
Osimhen, 26, became the most expensive signing in Turkish football history this summer after Galatasaray paid Napoli a record transfer fee of €75 and committed to a package worth more than €80 million over four years in wages and bonuses.
The deal ended months of speculation that saw Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea, Barcelona, and Juventus all linked with the Super Eagles forward.
Despite the staggering outlay, Hurma believes the reigning champions made a calculated gamble. Speaking to Ekol Sports via Sporx, he said:
“Of course I would [sign Osimhen]. Why wouldn’t I? Every penny earned in football goes back into football.
“Even Real Madrid and Barcelona lose money, but every success they achieve pushes them to the next level. Galatasaray won the championship last year, now they’re challenging in the Champions League. Of course, I would do the same.”
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Osimhen, who finished last season as the league’s top scorer during his loan spell with Cim-Bom, due to fitness concerns after a delayed pre-season.
Turkish forward Baris Alper Yilmaz filled the void with two goals and an assist, but Galatasaray fans have eagerly awaited the Nigerian’s return.
That moment will come on Friday night against Fatih Karagümrük, though Hurma’s feelings are mixed.
“As a football fan, I would be happy if Osimhen played against Karagümrük,” he admitted. “But as president of Karagümrük, I would prefer him to play in the next match.”
Asked if he would accept a scenario in which both teams were awarded a point without playing, Hurma was blunt:
“I wouldn’t even go near the stadium, to be honest. There’s a huge difference. It’s not easy to go there with any hope.”
Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk is expected to ease Osimhen back into competitive action, with the Nigerian unlikely to start against Karagümrük. The plan is for him to be fully match-fit in time for the third league fixture against Kayserispor.
In the meantime, Osimhen has been undergoing an intense two-a-day training programme for the past 10 days, designed to close the gap in his conditioning. Club insiders say his sharpness has improved significantly, and he is eager to begin the campaign that Galatasaray hope will end in another league and cup double, and a strong run in the Champions League.
Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele
Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele turns into a ball of passion when writing about Nigerian football and its talents, whether rising stars or established legends, locally and abroad.
From the deepest corners of the Middle East, to the green fields of the Americas, to the celebrated grounds in Europe, and the rich soils of Africa, Imhons is more than glad, usually with a glass of a tasty drink nearby, to capture the essence of the game, by connecting the dots between culture, identity, and football.