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Defending champions Galatasaray are just days away from kicking off the 2025–26 Super Lig season, but face the possibility of doing so without a single senior striker.
The club will open its campaign away to Gaziantep FK on August 8, yet its feared attacking trio — Mauro Icardi, Victor Osimhen and Alvaro Morata — are all expected to be absent.
Mauro Icardi, who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear during a 3–2 win over Tottenham in November 2024, has not yet returned to full training despite joining the team in pre-season camp. The Argentine striker underwent surgery in his home country and has been recovering ever since.
Although he has resumed individual work, club doctors and head coach Okan Buruk are reluctant to take risks with the star forward, who has recently taken over as captain following Fernando Muslera’s departure. Icardi is now targeting a return for the UEFA Champions League group stage in September and will likely miss the early weeks of domestic action.
Galatasaray has reached a full agreement with Napoli for Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen. Despite the breakthrough in negotiations, the 26-year-old forward has yet to arrive in Türkiye. An official signing ceremony is reportedly planned ahead of the friendly against Lazio on August 2 at RAMS Park.
Osimhen has continued individual training, but did not take part in pre-season with either club. His lack of match fitness and absence from team sessions means he is unlikely to feature in Galatasaray’s opening league match.
Alvaro Morata’s short stint in Türkiye also appears to be nearing its end. Como president Mirwan Suwarsa announced that the Serie A club had reached an agreement with Morata and his parent club Milan. Galatasaray still holds a buy-out clause valid until January, but the Spanish striker is reportedly keen to leave immediately — especially as Osimhen’s arrival would limit his playing time.
The 32-year-old was left out of the squad for the recent friendly against Strasbourg and has told club officials he wishes to depart. His relationship with Icardi reportedly soured during the end-of-season celebrations, further fueling his desire to move on.
Galatasaray assembled one of the most high-profile strike forces in club history last season, but struggled to field them simultaneously. Morata, signed in February, served mostly as Osimhen’s backup after Icardi was deregistered due to foreign player limits and his long-term injury. However, injuries and off-field tensions prevented the trio from playing together.
Now, with Osimhen not yet in the squad, Icardi recovering, and Morata close to leaving, coach Okan Buruk faces a major selection headache ahead of the season opener.
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