Why Monaco-owned Henry Onyekuru is stuck between Galatasaray, Fenerbahce, Besiktas, and Olympiakos

The Nigerian forward is the subject of interest from at least four different European clubs, but he is not close to joining any of them because of certain factors

Henry Onyekuru’s move to Galatasaray is all but dead as the Turkish giants are no longer interested in resigning the Super Eagles winger either temporarily or permanently, reports the Fotospor.

After manager Fatih Terim retained his job following the election of Burak Elmas as the new President of Galatasaray, it was expected that the Istanbul Lions would hasten to complete Onyekuru’s €4.5 million switch from Monaco.

But the Yellow-Reds reportedly only offered €2.5 for the 23-year-old’s services, a bid which the Ligue 1 side rejected without delay.

Galatasaray have since moved on to other targets, encouraging Onyekuru’s agent to equally approach Fenerbahce and Besiktas as both clubs are known admirers of the Nigerian.

However, Besiktas are no longer interested in Onyekuru’s services, while Fenerbahce are not willing to cough out the transfer fee demanded by Monaco.

Instead, Fenerbahce want a direct player swap involving Onyekuru and another player of Nigerian descent, Bright Osayi-Samuel, a deal that does not catch the fancy of the decision-makers at Monaco.

Greek champions Olympiacos are the only side ready to pay €4.5 million for the former Eupen star but Onyekuru favours remaining in Turkey’s mega-city Istanbul, where he has spent much of the last three years.

That’s why negotiations have not proceeded to a concrete conclusion.

2020 Super Lig champions Istanbul Başakşehir could, however, offer Onyekuru a way out of the impasse, having been credited with an interest in the Nigerian forward.

The Gray Owls’ manager Aykut Kocaman is a big fan of Onyekuru and had been following the attacker’s progress since he was in charge of Fenerbahce.

Onyekuru’s contract with Monaco, a side he joined for €13.5 million in 2019, does not expire until the summer of 2024.