Victor Osimhen: Galatasaray given two-hour warning to replace injured Super Eagles star

Galatasaray have been urged to make an immediate move for Istanbul Başakşehir striker Eldor Shomurodov after Victor Osimhen suffered a groin injury in Friday's dramatic 3-2 win, Soccernet.ng reports.

A Spor commentator Levent Tüzemen called on Galatasaray's management to bring Shomurodov in on loan, arguing that the club could not afford to wait if Osimhen is forced to spend several weeks on the sidelines.

The timing of the injury made the situation even more dramatic. Osimhen opened the scoring in the 16th minute at Başakşehir but was unable to continue after suffering the injury. He was replaced by Barış Alper Yılmaz in the 33rd minute.

Tüzemen said Galatasaray had only hours to act because the Turkish transfer window was due to close at midnight.

“I’m telling the Galatasaray management, you have two hours until 12. You need a foreign striker to play in the Super League. Sign Shomurodov on loan immediately,” Tüzemen was quoted by Habersarikirmizi as saying.

“If Osimhen is out for five weeks, you can’t manage this with just Deniz Gül,” he added.

The suggestion carried an unusual twist because Shomurodov was on the opposite side when Osimhen was injured. The Uzbekistan international was playing for Başakşehir and scored from the penalty spot during the match.

The summer 2026 Turkish Super Lig transfer window closed on Friday, September 4, 2026, at midnight local time (TRT), with no record of Galatasaray signing Shomurodov. Galatasaray do not expect Osimhen to be out for an extended period, with the club awaiting MRI test results before making any decision.

Osimhen: Galatasaray face a busy schedule

Osimhen's injury comes at a difficult point for Galatasaray, who have won all four of their opening league matches.

The Nigeria international had been one of the main reasons for that perfect start. He scored twice against Çorum FK, added two goals and an assist against Erzurumspor, scored and assisted against Göztepe, then found the net again against Başakşehir before being forced off.

That gives Osimhen six goals and two assists in four league appearances, with a goal in every match he has played this season.

Manager Okan Buruk does have other attacking options. New signing Rafael Leão can play through the centre as well as across the front line. Deniz Gül and teenage academy players Armando Güner and Ada Yüzgeç also provide options.

Galatasaray's schedule will add pressure if Osimhen's absence is extended. They are due to visit Sporting CP in the Champions League on Wednesday, September 9, before hosting Kocaelispor in the Süper Lig on September 13 and travelling to Trabzonspor six days later.