Turkish giants Galatasaray have reportedly enlisted the help of Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen in their bid to sign fellow Nigerian international Ademola Lookman, hoping the Napoli loanee-turned-permanent signing can persuade his national teammate to move to Istanbul this summer.
According to Turkish outlet Fotomac, the reigning Turkish champions are keen on bringing Lookman to the club following his impressive performances for Atlético Madrid. The 28-year-old forward joined the Spanish side from Atalanta in a €35 million deal during the January transfer window and quickly established himself as one of Diego Simeone’s most reliable attacking options.
Lookman registered five goals and four assists in 24 appearances, helping Atlético Madrid reach the UEFA Champions League semi-finals and the Copa del Rey final, scoring crucial goals against Barcelona in both competitions.
Aware of the difficulty involved in securing the transfer, Galatasaray are said to have turned to Osimhen as an informal intermediary, banking on the strong relationship between the two Super Eagles stars to help facilitate negotiations.
Atlético Madrid are reportedly reluctant to sanction another major departure after already losing Antoine Griezmann and dealing with uncertainty surrounding the futures of Julián Álvarez and Alexander Sørloth. Given Lookman’s versatility and productivity, manager Diego Simeone is believed to view the Nigerian as a key member of his squad.
Financial considerations could also complicate any move. Lookman currently earns significantly more in Spain than most Galatasaray players, with Osimhen’s exceptional €21 million-per-year deal remaining one of the few contracts at the club that surpass his salary demands.
Any attempt to lure the former Atalanta star to Turkey would likely require an innovative financial package.
Osimhen, who joined Galatasaray on loan during the 2024/25 season before sealing a €75 million permanent move last summer, has openly expressed his affection for the club and its supporters. His close ties with Galatasaray have made him an influential figure both on and off the pitch.
Lookman has been linked with several clubs in recent years, including Inter Milan, Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray. However, convincing Atlético Madrid to part with one of their standout performers remains a difficult challenge.
Whether Osimhen’s influence can help pull off one of the summer’s biggest transfer coups remains to be seen, but Galatasaray appear determined to strengthen their squad with another Nigerian star.
