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Barcelona have decided against pursuing a move for Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen this summer despite closely monitoring his situation at Galatasaray, with the Nigerian forward’s hefty wage demands proving to be the key obstacle.
The La Liga champions had been keeping tabs on the 27-year-old in recent weeks as uncertainty surrounded his future in Turkey. However, after assessing the financial implications of a potential deal, the Catalan club opted not to proceed, even though Osimhen remains one of Europe’s most prolific goalscorers following his impressive spell at Galatasaray.
However, according to Diario SPORT, Barcelona have ruled out a move for Osimhen despite searching for a proven No. 9 to replace Polish striker Robert Lewandowski, who left the club at the end of the 2025/26 season to join MLS side Chicago Fire after an illustrious spell with the Catalan giants.
The biggest obstacle is his wage package. Osimhen reportedly earns around €15m net per season, in addition to bonuses and his image rights, while he has shown no willingness to reduce his demands.
Such a financial commitment is considered too high for Barcelona, who are still operating under significant financial restrictions and are unwilling to disrupt their wage structure to accommodate the former Napoli striker.
His transfer fee would also represent a substantial investment, with Galatasaray reportedly valuing him at around €75m. Although his goalscoring record makes him an attractive option, Barcelona have decided that the overall cost of the deal does not make financial sense.
There are also concerns over Osimhen’s temperament, with his personality reportedly viewed as a potential risk to dressing-room harmony. While his ability is not in question, Barcelona are understood to have concluded that the potential complications outweigh the benefits.
