Galatasaray legend Hasan Şaş has openly questioned why Victor Osimhen, one of Europe’s most lethal strikers, is plying his trade in the Turkish Süper Lig instead of competing in one of Europe’s top leagues, Footynaija.com reports.
Osimhen, who joined Galatasaray permanently from Napoli this summer after a remarkable loan spell, has made a blistering start to the 2025–26 campaign.
The Nigerian has contributed ten goals for club and country already, helping his side stay unbeaten in the league while continuing to impress on the international stage.
His dominance has reignited debates about whether the 26-year-old is too big for Turkish football.
Before his move, Osimhen was on the radar of top European clubs including Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham, Newcastle, and Juventus. Galatasaray, however, were the only side willing to meet Napoli’s valuation, sealing a deal that shocked much of the football world.
Despite that, Osimhen has justified every lira spent. He has shattered multiple club records and established himself as both a relentless goalscorer and an all-action leader.
But for Şaş, a cult hero in Galatasaray’s history, the forward’s level of performance defies logic for the league he’s in.
Speaking to SporON after Osimhen inspired Galatasaray to a 3-1 comeback win over Göztepe on Sunday, Şaş said: “Galatasaray should start the match without Osimhen, they wouldn’t have 50% of their chances.
“Look at Osimhen in today’s match, take a good look at where Osimhen shines. There’s Presta, there’s aerial balls, there’s ground balls, he’s laying it off to his teammate.
“I mean, what kind of striker are you? What are you even doing in Turkey? You played a match four days ago, at the same pace, you turn around to the Göztepe match, you play even better at the same pace.
“Galatasaray is down 1-0, the guy doesn’t stop, he’s almost throwing the ball in from the touchline, there’s pressure in his mind, he sticks his leg in, he sticks his body in, he brings the ball down with his chest, he sets up a great position for his teammate, he’s there in aerial balls, he’s there in ground balls, he’s there in pressing, he’s there at the back, he’s there up front, he’s there in leadership.”
Osimhen’s influence has now taken him to 43 league goals for Galatasaray, making him the sixth-highest-scoring foreign player in the club’s history, an extraordinary feat for a striker whose career, by Şaş’s reckoning, may already be outgrowing the league he dominates.


















