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Victor Osimhen. Copyright: xNicol\u00f2xCampoxIMAGO<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Fenerbah\u00e7e board member Hakan Safi has revealed that he was willing to take extraordinary steps to bring Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen to the club, Soccernet.ng reports<\/strong>.<\/p>\n In the summer of 2025, when it became clear that Galatasaray were close to pulling off the incredible capture of Osimhen, Fenerbah\u00e7e attempted to hijack the deal<\/a>.<\/p>\n Safi has confessed that he was one of those Fenerbah\u00e7e insiders who wanted Osimhen at Fenerbah\u00e7e and even offered to fund the entire transfer himself, if money was the issue.<\/p>\n The Turkish businessman, who also backs Fenerbahce\u2019s basketball operations, has explained that he had the money ready and was fully prepared to complete the deal.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u201cI was going to complete the Osimhen transfer, I had prepared the money, I was ready to pay. They didn’t tell me to \u2018go ahead.’\u201d he said as per Buzz Spor<\/a>, making it clear that finances were not the issue.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Instead, Safi pointed to a lack of approval from the club\u2019s leadership, particularly president Ali Ko\u00e7, as the key reason the move never happened. Without that green light, the ambitious plan could not go ahead.<\/p>\n Safi also outlined a unique transfer model. He intended to buy Osimhen through his own company and then hand the player over to Fenerbah\u00e7e, a structure sometimes used in high-profile deals. However, even that bold idea was not enough to convince the club hierarchy.<\/p>\n Interestingly, there was another major obstacle to the completion of that ambitious transfer: Osimhen himself. Despite claims that Fenerbah\u00e7e were willing to offer significantly more money, the striker was said to be keen on joining Galatasaray instead. Safi has since hinted that if he ever becomes club president, he would make signing top-level forwards a priority and ensure money would never stand in the way.<\/p>\n While Fenerbah\u00e7e hesitated, Galatasaray moved decisively. The Turkish giants secured Osimhen in a deal worth \u20ac75 million after a hugely successful loan spell in which he helped them win the 2024\/25 S\u00fcper Lig title. That swift action proved decisive, as they beat off competition to land one of Europe\u2019s most sought-after forwards.<\/p>\n Osimhen has since become the focal point of Galatasaray\u2019s attack, delivering goals and leadership in equal measure. His performances have not only justified the club\u2019s investment but have also pushed them to the brink of a place in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals<\/a>.<\/p>\n Holding a 1-0 advantage over Liverpool from the first leg, Galatasaray head to Anfield knowing they are just one strong performance away from reaching the last eight. It is a daunting task, especially given their poor away record in England, but Osimhen\u2019s form offers real hope.<\/p>\n Liverpool, boosted by the return of key defender Ibrahima Konat\u00e9, will be confident of overturning the deficit at home. Yet much of the spotlight will fall on Osimhen, who boast seven goals and three assists in nine Champions League games.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n![\"Soccer](\"https:\/\/media.soccernet.ng\/main\/2026\/03\/16341.jpg\")
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Soccer Fenerbah\u00e7e watch on as Osimhen, Galatasaray target European glory<\/h2>\n
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