Former Galatasaray star and assistant coach Hasan Şaş believes the Turkish champions should already be preparing for life after Victor Osimhen, warning that Europe’s biggest clubs rarely hesitate when a top striker becomes available, Footynaija.com reports.
Osimhen has been in stunning form since joining Galatasaray, scoring freely and quickly becoming the heartbeat of the team’s attack.
That rise, according to Şaş, has placed him firmly back on the radar of elite sides across the continent.
Spanish giants Atlético Madrid and Barcelona have both been linked with the Nigerian striker, with Şaş suggesting Atlético’s recent success signing Ademola Lookman shows how quickly they can act when they want a player.
🅰️ Osimhen ➡️ Yunus ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/FVHEXkzArx
— Galatasaray SK (@GalatasaraySK) February 15, 2026
Barcelona, meanwhile, are said to be planning ahead for life after veteran forward Robert Lewandowski.
But Şaş feels the real danger may come from Italy, where Juventus could move first, especially with talk of a possible reunion between Osimhen and former coach Luciano Spalletti.
Speaking on the sporON YouTube channel, Şaş said Galatasaray may have little power to stop a big move.
“I don’t think Osimhen will stay at Galatasaray,” he said as quoted by Karadeniz Gazete. “Even if he performs well in the Juventus match and helps Galatasaray advance to the next round. They’ll take him from there.”
Şaş also revealed the club already has a plan if Osimhen leaves, by quickly extending the contract of Argentine striker Mauro Icardi.
Two assists for Victor Osimhen tonight against Eyüpspor 🅰️🅰️
— Soar Super Eagles (@SSE_NGA) February 13, 2026
Pulling the strings for Galatasaray ✨ pic.twitter.com/lyv0xXKBF8
“The moment Osimhen reaches a point where he could leave Galatasaray, Icardi’s contract will be extended immediately,” he disclosed.
Drawing on Lookman’s transfer story, Şaş explained how Turkish sides such as Fenerbahçe S.K. showed interest, only for Atlético to step in and pay what was required to Atalanta.
“I’ve been saying Lookman here since September, then Fenerbahçe came out and said ‘We’ll get him’. Then Atletico Madrid, a team that wasn’t even on the market, paid the money and took him,” he added.
“They’ll do the same with Osimhen. They’ll take him and leave. As long as a European team needs something, they won’t look at the price.
“If Osimhen gets past the Juventus match, they’ll come alone, take him and leave.”
Osimhen was the Serie A top scorer in 2023 when he helped Napoli win the Scudetto and he remains highly rated in Italy.
















