Galatasaray are set to offer Victor Osimhen the iconic No. 9 jersey as part of a carefully constructed plan to convince the Super Eagles striker to remain in Istanbul and reject interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs ahead of the 2026/27 season.
The Nigerian forward has been wearing the No. 45 shirt at Galatasaray since his arrival from Napoli because Argentine forward Mauro Icardi has occupied the No. 9 jersey throughout their time together at the club.
With Icardi expected to depart this summer after his contract expires at the end of June, the shirt is set to become available, and the Turkish champions intend to hand it directly to Osimhen as a statement of his primacy at the club.
The 27-year-old has emerged as the priority target for Manchester United manager Michael Carrick, who is seeking a proven goalscorer to lead the line as the club prepare to return to the UEFA Champions League. Arsenal, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Chelsea have also been credited with interest.
Galatasaray, who signed Osimhen permanently from Napoli in a Turkish transfer-record deal worth €75 million last year, have placed a valuation of between €130 million and €150 million on the striker and have rebuffed significant interest from top European clubs.
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The No. 9 shirt is the second strand of a two-part retention strategy. The first — the possibility of handing Osimhen the captain’s armband following Icardi’s departure was previously reported by PUNCH Sports Extra, with club officials viewing the Nigerian as the most influential figure in the dressing room.
Turkish football pundit Ali Naci Kucuk had disclosed the captaincy plan, noting that Galatasaray officials believe such a leadership role may not be immediately available to Osimhen at clubs like United, Arsenal or Chelsea, where established dressing-room hierarchies already exist.
Together, the captaincy and the No. 9 shirt represent Galatasaray’s clearest effort yet to give Osimhen an emotional and symbolic investment in the club’s future beyond just his playing contract.
This season, Osimhen scored 15 league goals and provided five assists in 22 matches, contributing a further seven goals and three assists across 10 UEFA Champions League appearances before Galatasaray were eliminated by Liverpool in the round of 16. His goals have been central to consecutive Super Lig title wins during his time in Turkey.
