Bayern Munich respond to Victor Osimhen links as Harry Kane eye Barcelona move

Bayern Munich have played down suggestions they could move for Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen this January, Soccernet.ng reports.

The powers that be at the German club insist they have no immediate need for a new number nine despite renewed transfer speculation involving the Galatasaray forward. 

Osimhen, currently representing Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, has once again been linked with a return to Europe’s elite after reports in Germany claimed he was recently offered to Bayern via an English intermediary.

The Bundesliga champions, however, moved swiftly to shut down the approach.

Sporting director Max Eberl is understood to have made it clear that Bayern’s striker plans remain firmly centred around Harry Kane, whose prolific scoring has left little room for discussion over alternatives, at least for now.

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Bayern stance clear despite Victor Osimhen availability

Osimhen only joined Galatasaray on a permanent basis last summer following a successful loan spell, with the Turkish champions paying around €75m to sign him from Napoli.

The 27-year-old has continued his strong form in Istanbul, scoring 12 goals in 16 competitive appearances this season and reaffirming his reputation as one of Europe’s most complete centre-forwards.

Despite his happiness in Turkey, Osimhen has long been viewed as a player capable of operating at the very top level. He has previously been linked with Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain, and his representatives are believed to see Bayern as an ideal sporting destination.

However, Bayern’s response was emphatic. According to TZ reports, Eberl told intermediaries that the German champions ‘currently have no need' for Osimhen. The Bayern boss added that any discussion would only become relevant if Kane were to leave the club, a scenario viewed internally as unlikely.

Kane has been exceptional since joining Bayern, scoring 30 goals in 25 appearances across all competitions this season. The England captain remains an undisputed starter and central figure in Vincent Kompany’s attack.

Kane, Barcelona and the wider market

While Bayern remain calm, Kane’s name continues to circulate elsewhere. The 30-year-old is reportedly admired by Barcelona, who are planning for life after Robert Lewandowski as the Polish striker approaches the latter stages of his career.

Kane is believed to have a release clause of around €65m, valid until the end of January, though Bayern do not expect it to be triggered. Even so, the mere existence of such a clause ensures Bayern’s long-term planning remains active.

Within that context, Osimhen’s name has not entirely disappeared. Bayern are understood to be monitoring the striker market, aware that securing a reliable alternative or successor to Kane will eventually become a necessity. Yet for now, no move is planned.

Osimhen, meanwhile, remains focused on international duty. He has contributed a goal and an assist at AFCON 2025 to help Nigeria reach the last 16, where the Super Eagles face Mozambique on Monday night.