Super Falcons star Asisat Oshoala has publicly backed Erling Haaland instead of fellow Nigerian Victor Osimhen as the ideal replacement for Robert Lewandowski, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Spanish champions are looking for a new leading striker after Lewandowski left the club following the expiration of his contract before completing a move to Major League Soccer. His exit has created a huge gap in Barcelona's attack, forcing the Catalan giants to explore several options ahead of the new season.
Osimhen has been linked with Barcelona for months and remains one of the strikers being monitored. Atlético Madrid are also reportedly interested after the Super Eagles forward's agent was recently seen in the Spanish capital, while Argentine World Cup winner Julián Álvarez is believed to be Barcelona's preferred target.
However, Haaland's brilliant performances at the ongoing FIFA World Cup have pushed the Manchester City striker into the spotlight. The Norway captain has scored seven goals in just four matches to lead his country into the quarter-finals.
His latest display came in the Round of 16, where he scored twice in Norway's dramatic 2-1 victory over Brazil.
Although Oshoala has often shown support for Osimhen, she believes Barcelona should make every effort to bring Haaland to Camp Nou. Responding to a post on X urging Barcelona to spend whatever it takes to sign the Norwegian striker, the Nigerian forward agreed that Haaland would be worth such a huge investment.
Oshoala's Barcelona ties as Osimhen keeps options open
Oshoala's opinion carries extra weight because of her successful spell at Barcelona. The Nigerian forward spent five years with the Spanish club, winning multiple Liga F titles and lifting the UEFA Women's Champions League twice.
During her time in Spain, she made history by becoming the first African player to score in a UEFA Women's Champions League final. She also became the first African woman to win the competition in 2021, achievements that cemented her place in Barcelona's history and explain why she continues to follow the club closely.
Despite missing out on Oshoala's vote, Osimhen remains the hottest name in this summer's transfer market.
Several Premier League clubs, including Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool, continue to monitor the Super Eagles striker. European heavyweights Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich have also been credited with strong interest, while Atlético Madrid remain admirers of the Nigerian international.
However, Osimhen is not rushing into a transfer. The 27-year-old is enjoying life at Galatasaray, where he is the highest-paid player in Turkish football and one of Africa's highest-paid footballers. The reigning Turkish champions are determined to keep him in Istanbul and are even considering handing him the captain's armband before the start of next season.
Osimhen rewarded the club's faith with another outstanding campaign, scoring 22 goals and providing eight assists in all competitions. Seven of those goals came in the UEFA Champions League as he helped Galatasaray reach the knockout rounds for the first time in more than 10 years.
