Super Eagles and Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen was the man of the match in his side's midweek UEFA Champions League 1-0 win over Liverpool, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 26-year-old was linked to several top clubs in Europe and the Middle East, but eventually, he penned a four-year deal with Galatasaray after an initial loan spell.
Chelsea signed Liam Delap and Joao Pedro while Liverpool splashed over £190m on Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike. Former Manchester City defender, Micah Richards, was stunned by Osimhen's decision to go to Turkey, claiming the forward would have been one of the best strikers in the English Premier League.
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“Osimhen signed a deal for four years at Galatasaray in Turkey. I can’t believe it,” Micah Richards said on The Rest is Football podcast.
“A top player like that should be playing. Galatasaray is a massive club but in terms of European football he could do better than that, in my opinion.
‘He’d be top a three No.9 in the Premier League. Fact. Joao Pedro is unbelievable, but you cannot say he’s better than Osimhen. Not a chance,” the CBS Sports Golazo pundit continued.
While Lineker had no issues with the striker's abilities on the pitch, he raised questions about his attitude off the pitch.
“I saw Osimhen play a couple of times against Leicester when they were in the Europa League,’ the former Leicester City forward added.
“He was so impressive and I’ve followed his career because of that. He was absolutely brilliant for Napoli. I mean, he was sensational.
“I do hear on the grapevine that a reason one or two of the clubs are a little bit nervous is that he sometimes goes missing for a few days. So, there’s apparently some kind of slight question mark as to his character in that sense,” Lineker concluded.
Lineker apologises to Osimhen
Following Osimhen's brilliant performance at the RAMS Park against Liverpool, Lineker retracted his statement, claiming everything he mentioned initially were rumours.
“I need to apologise to Victor Osimhen. I remember that I intimated that he goes missing sometimes, and I believe that is completely not the case.
“So, Victor, if you're listening, I'm sorry about that. You shouldn't spread rumours about these things, so my bad on that.
“He's quick, tall, a good finisher and strong in the air. He took Konate apart. He's a hell of a player,” the 64-year-old concluded.
️ @GaryLineker: “I need to apologise to @VictorOsimhen9
Gary Victor Osimhen pic.twitter.com/qe0LSSPVvl
— The Rest Is Football (@RestIsFootball) October 3, 2025
Osimhen's record at Galatasaray has been nothing short of impressive. The former Napoli man has scored 40 goals and provided seven assists in 46 games across all competitions for the Cimbom Aslan.
