Atletico Madrid's Striker Dilemma Deepens as Galatasaray Rejects Osimhen Move

Galatasaray has firmly rejected Atletico Madrid’s interest in Víctor Osimhen, with club president Dursun Özbek stating the Nigerian striker is not available for transfer this summer. This decision removes a key contingency option for Los Colchoneros as they seek to strengthen their forward line ahead of the 2026/27 season. The approach to Osimhen was considered a backup rather than a primary target, as Atletico grapples with external interest in Julián Álvarez. The club is assessing alternatives in case the pressure to sell Álvarez intensifies. Özbek emphasized Osimhen's value, highlighting his significant contributions since joining from Napoli, where he has netted 59 goals in 74 appearances for Galatasaray and helped secure two Superliga Turca titles and a Copa de Turquía. Despite Osimhen’s potential interest in Atletico, the Turkish club remains firm in their stance, leaving no room for negotiation. The rejection is crucial for Atletico’s summer strategy. With the transfer window closing on September 1, they must now explore other striker options to ensure they have a reliable fallback. The club’s priority remains retaining Álvarez, who has a €500m release clause and a contract extending until 2030. Despite interest from Real Madrid, Arsenal, Barcelona, and PSG, Atletico has made it clear that any discussions regarding Álvarez must involve triggering the release clause. As the situation develops, Atletico Madrid's next steps will hinge on how the interest in Álvarez evolves and whether any clubs decide to activate his release clause.

Source: Football España - 2026-06-16

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