Victor Osimhen makes transfer request following Chelsea U-TURN

Cameron Smith

25 Nov 2025 10:39 GMT
4 min read

Victor Osimhen, Galatasaray, 2024/25 — © IMAGO

Victor Osimhen has reportedly urged his Nigeria international team-mate Ademola Lookman to join him at Galatasaray amid rumours that he could leave Atalanta in 2026.

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Lookman, 28, was close to securing a big-money transfer this summer, but he was unable to force through a proposed move to Inter Milan, despite going on strike at Atalanta.

Current ETV

Ademola Lookman

F, AM (C)

Atalanta

Ademola Lookman

F, AM (C)

Atalanta

ETV Range

€31M - €37.9M

The former Fulham and Everton winger was desperate to complete a move to San Siro and he handed in a transfer request in a bid to help finalise a deal.

However, Inter were unable to agree a transfer fee with Atalanta and Lookman eventually returned to first-team training in September after releasing a public statement accusing the club of “broken promises” one month earlier.

The Nigeria star, who won the African Ballon d’Or in 2024, has only scored one goal in 11 appearances so far this season and a transfer is widely expected to take place next year.

Several clubs in Italy have been tipped to pursue a deal for the 28-year-old, but Osimhen is desperate for his international team-mate to join him at Turkish giants Galatasaray.

That is according to Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport, who claim that Osimhen is currently urging Lookman to accept a move to Istanbul in January.

© IMAGO - Ademola Lookman could leave Atalanta next year

Victor Osimhen to Chelsea unlikely

News that Osimhen wants Lookman to join him at Galatasaray suggests that he is unlikely to leave the club in 2026, despite recent rumours hinting that Chelsea have rekindled their interest in his services.

Osimhen has scored nine goals in 12 matches so far this campaign and reports say that Enzo Maresca’s side could be set to pursue a deal in 2026 after failing to finalise an agreement for his signature in both 2024 and 2025.

However, a transfer remains incredibly unlikely due to Osimhen’s wage demands and the fact that Emanuel Emegha and Dastan Satpaev will both arrive to bolster the striker options at Stamford Bridge next summer.

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