Galatasaray are considering handing the captain’s armband to Victor Osimhen should the club decide against retaining Argentine forward Mauro Icardi, according to Turkish football pundit Ali Naci Kucuk.
“Galatasaray wants to give the captain’s armband to Victor Osimhen if they don’t continue with Mauro Icardi,” Kucuk said.
The report adds another dimension to what has already been a landmark spell in Turkey for the Nigerian striker. Since arriving at the Istanbul club, Osimhen has been central to back-to-back Süper Lig title wins, contributed to a Turkish Cup triumph and scored more than 50 goals across multiple seasons.
This season alone, he scored 15 league goals and provided five assists in 22 matches, adding seven goals and three assists in 10 UEFA Champions League appearances before Galatasaray were eliminated by Liverpool in the round of 16.
The potential captaincy is being viewed as recognition of both his performances and his growing stature within the dressing room, with club officials and supporters alike acknowledging his influence beyond just goals.
Osimhen also joined his teammates on a courtesy visit to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Presidential Complex in Ankara following the club’s 26th league title triumph — his second such visit after consecutive championship successes.
Galatasaray president Dursun Ozbek presented the club’s jersey to the president during the reception, with the squad attending in suits.
Should Galatasaray retain the Süper Lig title next season, they would become the first club in Turkish football history to win five consecutive league championships.
Despite growing speculation over his future, with Chelsea, Barcelona and Bayern Munich among the clubs linked with a move, Galatasaray have maintained their position that Osimhen will not be sold cheaply, with Ozbek previously stating he would not entertain offers below €100 million.