Galatasaray has requested the support of Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen in their pursuit of fellow Nigerian attacker Ademola Lookman, asking him to utilize his influence to persuade his international teammate to relocate to Istanbul this summer.
According to Turkish football outlet Fotomac, the Turkish champions are reportedly interested in signing Lookman from Atlético Madrid, where the 28-year-old has been one of the club’s most impressive performers since joining from Atalanta for €35 million in the January transfer window.
Lookman had five goals and four assists in 24 games for Diego Simeone’s team, helping them reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League and the final of the Copa del Rey with important goals against Barcelona in both competitions.
Galatasaray’s choice to contact Osimhen as an informal mediator demonstrates the magnitude of the problem they face in completing the trade.
Atlético Madrid, currently dealing with the departures of Antoine Griezmann, Julian Álvarez, and Alexander Sørloth, may be hesitant to allow another high-profile player to leave.
Lookman’s flexibility and productivity make him exactly the type of player Simeone is unlikely to release without strong opposition.
Lookman’s wage in Spain is expected to be far greater than what Galatasaray presently pays the majority of their players outside of Osimhen’s remarkable €21 million-per-year contract, and narrowing that gap would necessitate an innovative financial structure.
The bond between Osimhen and Galatasaray is well-known. The 27-year-old has spoken highly of the club and its fans since joining on loan in 2024/25 before making the €75 million permanent move last summer.
Throughout his career, Lookman had previously established connections with Inter Milan, Fenerbahçe, and Galatasaray.
Whether Galatasaray can arrange an offer enticing enough to turn Atlético Madrid’s head, with or without Osimhen’s influence, remains the major question in what appears to be a complicated and tough transaction.
Galatasaray has requested the support of Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen in their pursuit of fellow Nigerian attacker Ademola Lookman, asking him to utilize his influence to persuade his international teammate to relocate to Istanbul this summer.
According to Turkish football outlet Fotomac, the Turkish champions are reportedly interested in signing Lookman from Atlético Madrid, where the 28-year-old has been one of the club’s most impressive performers since joining from Atalanta for €35 million in the January transfer window.
Lookman had five goals and four assists in 24 games for Diego Simeone’s team, helping them reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League and the final of the Copa del Rey with important goals against Barcelona in both competitions.
Galatasaray’s choice to contact Osimhen as an informal mediator demonstrates the magnitude of the problem they face in completing the trade.
Atlético Madrid, currently dealing with the departures of Antoine Griezmann, Julian Álvarez, and Alexander Sørloth, may be hesitant to allow another high-profile player to leave.
Lookman’s flexibility and productivity make him exactly the type of player Simeone is unlikely to release without strong opposition.
Lookman’s wage in Spain is expected to be far greater than what Galatasaray presently pays the majority of their players outside of Osimhen’s remarkable €21 million-per-year contract, and narrowing that gap would necessitate an innovative financial structure.
The bond between Osimhen and Galatasaray is well-known. The 27-year-old has spoken highly of the club and its fans since joining on loan in 2024/25 before making the €75 million permanent move last summer.
Throughout his career, Lookman had previously established connections with Inter Milan, Fenerbahçe, and Galatasaray.
Whether Galatasaray can arrange an offer enticing enough to turn Atlético Madrid‘s head, with or without Osimhen’s influence, remains the major question in what appears to be a complicated and tough transaction.
