Istanbulspor Denies Victor Osimhen Takeover Rumors as False News
Turkish second division club Istanbulspor has reacted strongly to widespread reports that Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen is planning to take over the historic football club. The rumors, which originated from Nigerian media outlets, have been categorically dismissed by both the club's president and sources close to the player as completely false information with zero factual basis.
Origin of the Rumors and Official Response
The speculation began circulating after Nigerian publication Blueprint claimed that during a livestream, Osimhen expressed interest in purchasing Istanbulspor, a club currently competing in the Turkish Football Federation League 1. The report suggested the Super Eagles striker intended to use the acquisition as a pipeline for developing Nigerian talents for European football.
Istanbulspor president Ecmel Faik Sarıalioğlu responded directly to these claims, stating clearly that the club has received no official communication regarding any potential takeover. "We've seen reports that Osimhen is going to buy Istanbulspor. But as the club president, we haven't received any official confirmation," he told Turkish newspaper Milliyet, effectively debunking the rumors.
Sources Close to Osimhen Confirm Falsehood
Adding to the denial, a source close to the striker identified as Buchi Laba described the reports as "very fake and false" after the rumors gained significant traction across social media platforms. This double denial from both the club administration and the player's camp leaves little doubt about the fabricated nature of the takeover speculation.
Osimhen's Current Situation and Injury Update
The rumors emerged as Osimhen returned to Nigeria following an injury sustained during Galatasaray's 4-0 loss to Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match. The striker suffered a hand injury after clashing with Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate and was substituted at halftime.
Medical examinations have confirmed that Osimhen suffered a comminuted fracture in his arm, requiring surgical intervention. According to Turkish journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu, Galatasaray has confirmed the striker will undergo surgery that is expected to keep him out of action for approximately six weeks.
The recovery timeline means Osimhen will miss several important matches, including:
- The crucial tie against Trabzonspor on April 4
- Other league fixtures during his rehabilitation period
If his recovery proceeds according to plan, medical staff anticipate his return just in time for the highly anticipated Istanbul derby against rivals Fenerbahce on April 26.
Broader Context and Super Eagles Absence
The injury comes at a particularly challenging time for Osimhen, who had already been left out of the Super Eagles squad for their upcoming four-nation invitational tournament in Antalya, Turkey. The Nigerian national team will face Iran and Jordan in the tournament, which was relocated from Jordan due to security concerns related to the Middle East conflict.
Notable absentees from the Super Eagles squad include both Osimhen and defender Ola Aina, raising questions about the team's composition for the international fixtures. The striker's injury and subsequent surgery will now extend his absence from competitive football beyond the international break.
Galatasaray's Legal Concerns
In related developments, Galatasaray has reportedly threatened legal action against Liverpool concerning another injury during the same Champions League match. The Turkish champions have asked for compensation for winger Noa Lang's salary after he crashed into an advertising board, with the club alleging faulty equipment contributed to the injury.
This legal development adds another layer to what has been a challenging period for Galatasaray, with multiple injury concerns affecting their squad composition and performance prospects in both domestic and European competitions.
The complete dismissal of the Istanbulspor takeover rumors by all involved parties confirms that Victor Osimhen's immediate focus remains squarely on his recovery from injury and return to competitive action with Galatasaray, rather than any club ownership ambitions in Turkish football.
