Galatasaray president Dursun Özbek has admitted the Turkish champions are already preparing for their UEFA Champions League meeting with Barcelona, with the much-anticipated clash set to bring the Spanish giants to Istanbul next month, Footynaija.com reports.
Özbek made the comment on Thursday while speaking at the launch of the 2027 Spanish Super Cup, which will be hosted in Saudi Arabia but have its semi-finals and final played in Istanbul.
Asked about Barcelona’s visit to Galatasaray, the club president kept his response brief but made it clear that preparations are already underway.
The fixture has particular interest for Galatasaray because it will be their first home Champions League league-phase match against Barcelona this season, with the game scheduled for October 13 at RAMS Park.
Osimhen
Osimhen picked up a right adductor injury during Galatasaray’s 3-2 win over Başakşehir earlier this month, scoring before being forced off in the first half. Galatasaray later confirmed an advanced-moderate strain with bleeding in the muscle group.
The injury ruled the 27-year-old out of the Champions League opener against Sporting CP, which Galatasaray lost 3-1, and also kept him out of their subsequent domestic fixtures. The club’s next Champions League assignment after Sporting is the home meeting with Barcelona.
That gives the October fixture another angle for the Super Eagles striker, who has already been linked with Barcelona in previous transfer windows.
Galatasaray have repeatedly made their position on Osimhen clear. Özbek said earlier this year that the club did not sign the striker to sell him and wanted him to remain in Istanbul for many years. Galatasaray eventually made his loan move permanent in 2025 for a reported €75 million.
Now the focus is on getting their star striker back on the pitch and ready for the biggest European night of their early Champions League campaign.
And Özbek’s message suggests Galatasaray are already looking forward to it.
