Victor Osimhen has confirmed he won’t be joining Chelsea in the upcoming January transfer window, emphasizing his commitment to remaining with Turkish club Galatasaray until his loan expires, NEWS REVIEW reports.
The 25-year-old striker, who was strongly linked to a potential move to Stamford Bridge during the summer, clarified his intentions after scoring his fourth goal for Galatasaray in their 2-1 Istanbul Derby victory over Besiktas in the Turkish Super Lig on Monday.
“Yes, I am here,” Osimhen said when asked about his plans for the rest of the season, according to Turkish journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu.
Since joining Galatasaray on loan from Napoli in September, the Nigerian striker has been in excellent form, scoring in three consecutive league matches. His recent highlight came with a spectacular overhead kick against Antalyaspor last weekend, marking his return from injury.
In the 67th minute against Besiktas, he expertly headed in Gabriel Sara’s cross to give Galatasaray a two-goal cushion before the visitors scored in stoppage time. Despite Chelsea’s ongoing interest and Nicolas Jackson’s recent resurgence, the Blues remain in the market for a striker who can deliver at least 20 goals a season, with Osimhen seen as an ideal fit.
Osimhen’s performances have garnered attention from Chelsea legends John Mikel Obi and Didier Drogba, both of whom have endorsed him as a prime candidate for their former club. His impact at Galatasaray has been substantial, with the forward tallying four goals and four assists in just six appearances. Currently, Galatasaray sits atop the Turkish Super Lig standings with 28 points from 10 matches, boasting an unbeaten streak of eight wins and two draws in their last 10 games across competitions.
The victory over Besiktas has helped Galatasaray extend their lead to six points over second-placed Samsunspor, while Besiktas remains fourth with 20 points.
With Osimhen’s commitment to Galatasaray confirmed until the summer, Chelsea may have to wait until 2025 to pursue the former Lille forward, who continues to bolster his reputation in Turkish football.
