Transfer twist: Henry Onyekuru set to shun Olympiacos as Galatasaray elect new president

Despite the Turkish Super Lig giants not activating the buy option in his loan contract and a few clubs eager to snap him up, the Nigerian international may end up staying at Galatasaray

Henry Onyekuru’s desire to remain at Galatasaray received a major boost after Turkish businessman Burak Elmas was, on July 19, voted the 38th president of Galatasaray.

Onyekuru, who helped Galatasaray win the Super Lig title in 2018, returned to the Yellow-Reds in January 2021 for a third loan spell. The deal made with Monaco in the winter transfer market came with an option to buy for €4.35 million.

The Super Eagles forward impressed yet again, scoring five goals and four assists in 15 games to help the Fatih Terim-tutored side finish second and qualify for the UEFA Champions League.

But the Lions, despite having until June 11, 2021, to trigger the option to buy, failed to activate it, allowing other clubs, including Greek champions Olympiacos, to kick off negotiations with Onyekuru.

Much of that indecision lay with outgoing Galatasaray president Mustafa Cengiz who previously stated that Galatasaray would not continue working with Terim – Onyekuru’s biggest fan – as from the 2021-2022 season.

But during his campaign to be president, Elmas had promised to retain the veteran Turkish coach if he won the election.

And, as per a Fanatik report, coach Terim had asked Onyekuru to delay his move to another club with a ‘wait for news from me’ message.

And after winning the election that made him the 38th chairman of the club, 47-year-old Elmas confirmed that he would be keeping all promises regarding the Fatih Terim situation.

This could also be good news for Onyekuru, who had never hidden his love for Galatasaray and coach Terim.

The former Everton and Eupen man scored 22 goals in 71 matches across three different spells with Galatasaray.