Dursun Özbek, president of Galatasaray S.K., has strongly rejected claims that the club owes Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen and other players unpaid salaries, insisting that all payments have been made according to their contracts.
Özbek described the reports as misleading and harmful, stressing that Galatasaray remains financially stable despite the pressure that comes with high-profile signings and competing in both domestic and European competitions.
Speculation around Osimhen’s future has intensified in recent weeks, with the striker linked to several top European clubs. The rumours grew after some Turkish media outlets suggested that the league leaders were struggling to pay players’ wages, with the Nigerian forward reportedly the highest earner at the club.
However, Özbek, 76, dismissed the claims, insisting that the club has met all of its financial commitments.
“If you make things up, you create crises like this,” he said. “Galatasaray is an elite team made up of world-class footballers. You cannot expect players of this level to perform if they are not paid.
“If players go two or three months without salaries, they simply will not play. These reports are an insult to the professionalism of our players. We have bonus and incentive clauses, and they are all paid on time. Galatasaray has not defaulted on a single lira.”
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s all-time Bundesliga top scorer, Jonathan Akpoborie, believes Osimhen could thrive at FC Bayern Munich amid growing links between the striker and the German champions.
Akpoborie, who scored 61 goals in 144 Bundesliga appearances for Hansa Rostock, VfB Stuttgart, and VfL Wolfsburg, said Osimhen’s early development in Germany could help him adapt quickly if a move to Bayern materialises.
“He’s doing very well at Galatasaray. He developed in Germany and must have picked up some of the language. He understands the culture from his time at Wolfsburg, so settling in again would not be difficult,” Akpoborie said on The Play Zone podcast.
Reports also suggest Bayern are considering Osimhen as a long-term successor to Harry Kane, whose contract at the Allianz Arena runs until 2027. Head coach Vincent Kompany is said to have followed Osimhen since his early professional days at Royal Charleroi S.C..
A transfer, however, may prove difficult. Galatasaray converted Osimhen’s initial loan into a permanent €75m deal last summer and have him under contract until June 2029, with no indication they are willing to sell.
Paris Saint-Germain F.C., once among the striker’s suitors, are reported to have cooled their interest due to a projected €150m valuation and Osimhen’s reported €20m yearly salary demands. Clubs from the Saudi Pro League have also been linked, although the forward is believed to prefer remaining in Europe.
Osimhen has enjoyed an impressive campaign, scoring 17 goals in 25 appearances, including seven in the UEFA Champions League, where Galatasaray have reached the Round of 16 for the first time in 12 years and will face Liverpool F.C. in the next stage.
