Victor Osimhen has officially stated that he will not be making a move to Chelsea during the January transfer window, reaffirming his commitment to Galatasaray until the end of his loan spell.
The Nigerian striker made this announcement following his impressive performance in the Istanbul Derby, where he scored his fourth goal for the club in a 2-1 victory over Besiktas.
When asked about his plans for the second half of the season, Osimhen responded, “Yes, I am here,” according to Turkish journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu.
The 25-year-old forward has been in remarkable form since joining Galatasaray on loan from Napoli in September, scoring in three consecutive league matches, including a stunning overhead kick against Antalyaspor last weekend.
Osimhen’s latest goal came in the 67th minute against Besiktas, where he expertly headed in a cross from Gabriel Sara, doubling Galatasaray’s lead before Besiktas pulled one back in stoppage time.
Despite Chelsea’s ongoing interest in acquiring his services, Osimhen’s decision to stay with Galatasaray complicates the Blues’ search for a striker capable of delivering at least 20 goals per season.
The club’s recent signing, Nicolas Jackson, has shown improvement, but Osimhen is still seen as the ideal candidate to fill their striking needs.
His performances in Turkey have garnered praise from Chelsea legends John Mikel Obi and Didier Drogba, both of whom have endorsed him as an excellent signing for their former club.
Under the management of Okan Buruk, Galatasaray has significantly benefited from Osimhen’s contributions, with the striker amassing four goals and four assists in just six appearances. The team currently leads the Turkish Super Lig standings with 28 points from 10 matches, boasting an impressive record of eight wins and two draws in their last 10 games across all competitions.
The victory over Besiktas has allowed Galatasaray to open a six-point gap over second-placed Samsunspor, while Besiktas remains fourth with 20 points.
With Osimhen confirming his commitment to Galatasaray until the summer, Chelsea may have to wait until 2025 to secure the services of the former Lille star, who continues to bolster his reputation in Turkish football.
