The Nigerian striker’s press conference appearance dismisses wage dispute speculation as Galatasaray defend 5-2 first-leg lead
Just days after reports alleged Victor Osimhen had refused to play for Galatasaray over unpaid wages, the Nigerian striker sat before media ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League second leg and openly discussed how joining Juventus would represent a “privilege”, the very club he’ll face at the Allianz Stadium on Wednesday.
Osimhen’s presence at the pre-match press conference effectively dismissed speculation about salary disputes affecting his availability, though questions about his Konyaspor absence lingered in the background.
Galatasaray had insisted knee pain kept him out of Saturday’s 2-0 defeat, with coach Okan Buruk framing the decision as precautionary after discomfort following their extraordinary 5-2 first-leg triumph over Juventus.
Social media had been ablaze with suggestions that Galatasaray players hadn’t received wages for three months, prompting swift denials from club executives who told Turkish daily Sabah that such reports were categorically false.
Whether genuine financial troubles exist or whether the speculation represented unfounded rumours remains unclear, but Osimhen’s focus on football matters rather than contractual issues suggests any problems have been resolved or never existed.
Transfer talk adds intrigue to knockout tie
When pressed about his long-standing links with Juventus, having been heavily connected to the Turin club before ultimately joining Galatasaray, Osimhen didn’t shy away from expressing admiration.
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“Juventus is one of the most important clubs, rich in history with so many legends,” he said, according to TuttoSport.
“When they spoke to me at the time, I was eager to join before Galatasaray came along, but there were some obstacles and the transfer didn’t happen.
“If opportunities arise in the future, there are several clubs I would like to play for, playing here would be a privilege. But 90% of footballers in the world would want to play for Juventus.”
His revelation that negotiations occurred before his Galatasaray move confirms previous reporting, with the reference to “obstacles” likely relating to financial complications that ultimately led him toward Turkey instead.
The three-goal cushion from Istanbul’s first leg positions Galatasaray strongly, but Champions League history warns against complacency.
Juventus will attack aggressively at home, knowing they need at least four goals whilst preventing Galatasaray from scoring more than once, a daunting equation that nevertheless remains mathematically possible.
Meanwhile, Osimhen’s 15 goals and five assists across Super Lig and Champions League competitions have attracted interest from FC Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Juventus themselves.