Abdurrahim Albayrak, a former vice-president of Galatasaray, has openly acknowledged the immense difficulty of repeating the club’s landmark acquisition of Victor Osimhen. Despite the Turkish side’s unwavering ambition to compete at the highest levels of European football, Albayrak conceded that such a financial feat is unlikely to happen again soon.
The Nigerian striker, who was named African Footballer of the Year, joined Galatasaray permanently in July 2025 after a stellar loan spell. His transfer, worth €75 million (approximately N119 billion), set a new record for Turkish football and captured global attention, even as clubs from the Saudi Pro League and Europe’s top five leagues circled.
Speaking to NTV via Ajansspor, Albayrak said, “Every Galatasaray fan dreams of this, but realistically, we are up against very strong teams. We signed Osimhen for €75 million, and the world press was buzzing. He contributed immensely. However, paying €75 million a second or third time is extremely difficult right now.”
The former executive highlighted the financial constraints that make it challenging to acquire players of Osimhen’s caliber. Nevertheless, he expressed confidence in Galatasaray’s transfer strategy moving forward. He added, “Galatasaray will make good transfers. The dream of every management is to win the Champions League. Just as God granted us the UEFA Cup, He will also grant us the Champions League.”
Osimhen still has three years remaining on his contract with Galatasaray, but speculation about a summer departure persists. European giants like Barcelona, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, and Arsenal have all been linked with a move for the striker.