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FC Barcelona has reportedly placed Galatasaray’s Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen on their shortlist as a potential heir to Robert Lewandowski, whose uncertain future at the club unfolds amid Fenerbahce’s parallel pursuit of the Polish forward, Spanish media reported.
According to reports, the Catalan club is preparing a transfer bid to bring the 26-year-old striker into its ranks, revisiting a move it pursued in 2024 when the player was still with Italian side Napoli, as Osimhen’s name has resurfaced as an option for next season.
Galatasaray, Osimhen’s current team, paid around €75 million ($87.1 million) for his transfer and signed him on a long-term contract running until 2029. Given this high valuation, a transfer would likely depend on specific conditions—such as the player’s willingness to move—a strategy Barcelona has occasionally relied on in past transfer negotiations, Spanish sports daily El Mundo Deportivo reported.
However, Osimhen’s high valuation makes any move financially difficult for Barcelona, the report added. Aware of the cost of signing a top striker, sporting director Deco has cooled both Lewandowski’s renewal and the search for a new striker, waiting instead for a favorable market opportunity.
The Nigerian striker has been a key figure for Galatasaray this season. Of the 13 matches the Istanbul club has played so far, he has featured in nine, scoring six goals without providing an assist—five in domestic competition and one in Europe.
Meanwhile, another option for the club is Levante’s 22-year-old Cameroonian striker Karl Etta-Eyong, who has also attracted the attention of several European powerhouses with his impressive performances this season, scoring six goals and providing three assists in 10 matches, according to another report by El Mundo Deportivo.
Lewandowski, who turned 37 this year, has reportedly told Barcelona through his agent, Pini Zahavi, that he would like to stay. Yet his continuity is not guaranteed, given his current injury and age. Since the start of the season, Lewandowski has played nine matches and scored four goals without providing an assist—all in La Liga—while failing to score in his two UEFA Champions League appearances.
Though no negotiations have taken place so far, Barcelona is monitoring Osimhen as a top-level option to fill Lewandowski’s position and is keeping a close eye on his performance.
On the other hand, Turkish media previously reported that Galatasaray’s archrival Fenerbahce is also eyeing the Polish striker to strengthen its forward line, amid uncertainty over Colombian forward Jhon Duran, who has missed 10 matches due to injury and only recently returned, while Saudi clubs have submitted high bids for Youssef En-Nesyri.
According to a report by Hurriyet, a transfer in January appears highly unlikely; still, Fenerbahce plans to begin formal talks ahead of the summer window, considering a two-year contract offer. While proposals from Saudi Arabia are expected for the Polish forward, he is said to prefer continuing his career in Europe or possibly moving to the United States instead.
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