Galatasaray ‘to hand’ captaincy to Victor Osimhen to ward off Manchester United | OneFootball

Galatasaray are preparing to offer Victor Osimhen the captaincy in a bid to repel Manchester United interest, according to Turkish-Football.com. The Süper Lig champions are said to have no plans to sell the striker this summer.

United manager Michael Carrick has reportedly placed the 27-year-old at the top of a five-man shortlist. The club want an elite centre-forward to complement Benjamin Šeško and potentially replace the outgoing Joshua Zirkzee.

Galatasaray paid a club-record fee to sign Osimhen permanently from Napoli, and his valuation is put at around €150 million. Head coach Okan Buruk and the hierarchy aim to make him the focal point of their long-term project.

The leadership plan is tied to the RAMS Park dressing-room picture. Mauro Icardi is nearing the end of his contract and his future is unresolved. If he departs this summer, the armband would pass to Osimhen, with Lucas Torreira as vice-captain and Abdülkerim Bardakcı third in line.

Osimhen’s form underpins the stance. He delivered 15 goals and five assists in 22 Süper Lig matches in 2025-26, with 22 goals and eight assists across all competitions. Galatasaray hope the status and symbolism will make him feel indispensable in Istanbul and blunt a Premier League move.

Source: Turkish-Football.com