Barca not interested in Osimhen

Barcelona have been offered the chance to sign Victor Osimhen but have no interest in pursuing the Nigerian striker, with the Catalan club remaining firmly focused on landing Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez as their priority signing this summer, PidomNigeria Sports Extra reports.

According to Diario Sport, intermediaries approached Barcelona in recent days over a potential deal for the Galatasaray forward, but the club do not consider him part of their plans as they seek a long-term replacement for Robert Lewandowski.

The rejection does little to cool the broader interest surrounding Osimhen, who has attracted attention from virtually every major club in Europe heading into the summer window. Galatasaray assistant coach Ismael Garcia Gomez, speaking to Marca, offered an insight into why the queue of suitors keeps growing.

“We have very top-level players, but in my opinion, Osimhen is among the world’s top three to five strikers,” Garcia said.

“He possesses an extremely high level and impressive physical strength. He presses, he defends. In addition, he has the ability to influence the opposing defence even in moments when he is not heavily involved in the game.”

The numbers support that assessment. Since arriving in Istanbul initially on loan in 2024 before the move was made permanent last summer, Osimhen has scored 59 goals in 74 appearances across all competitions, delivering two league titles and a Turkish Cup to Galatasaray in the process.

Manchester United have identified the 27-year-old as a dream signing and are eyeing him as their main striker for next season. Real Madrid are also monitoring the situation and could move should José Mourinho be appointed as their next head coach.

Atletico Madrid see him as a potential replacement if Alvarez departs, which would also set up a reunion with Super Eagles teammate Ademola Lookman. Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal and Chelsea have all also expressed interest, and Galatasaray’s resolve could be tested by any club willing to match their reported €150m valuation.