The transfer rumours gained momentum following comments made by Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle, who revealed that Osimhen had been omitted from Nigeria's squad for upcoming international friendlies against Poland and Portugal due to uncertainty surrounding his club future.
Explaining the decision, Chelle said:
"Victor Osimhen will not be in our friendly matches against Poland and Portugal. Because there may be a possibility of a club change. Therefore, I preferred him to stay at home. If your mind is not 100% here, going out on the field to play does not create a good situation."
The remarks immediately sparked widespread speculation across Europe, with several media outlets linking the Nigerian international to potential moves during the summer transfer window.
However, Osimhen quickly moved to clarify the situation, insisting that his coach's comments had been misunderstood and taken out of context.
The striker addressed the issue through his social media platforms, writing:
"I just got off the phone with Coach Eric Chelle regarding the comments about me in his recent interview."
"Unfortunately, his words have been taken out of context and blown out of proportion. He has great respect for Galatasaray, follows most of our games and never intended to create any controversy. I kindly ask everyone to disregard the speculation surrounding this matter."
The clarification was later reinforced by the Super Eagles media team, which also sought to explain Chelle's original comments after they generated significant headlines.
Despite Osimhen's efforts to calm the speculation, interest in the Nigerian striker remains strong among some of Europe's biggest clubs. The 27-year-old has consistently been linked with a move away from Galatasaray, particularly after another outstanding campaign in Turkey.
Reports in recent months have suggested that Manchester United view Osimhen as a priority target, with the striker reportedly featuring prominently on the club's shortlist of attacking reinforcements ahead of the new season.
Now, Turkish publication Sabah claims that Chelsea FC have also made initial contact regarding a potential transfer, positioning themselves as serious contenders for his signature.
Galatasaray, however, appear determined to keep hold of their prized asset. Club officials are reportedly unwilling to consider offers below €150 million for the striker, a figure that would represent a significant profit on the €75 million they paid to secure his services from SSC Napoli last summer.
The valuation reflects both Osimhen's importance to the team and his continued excellence in front of goal.
During the recently concluded season, the Nigerian international once again demonstrated why he remains one of the most sought-after strikers in world football. He scored 15 league goals and provided five assists in just 22 appearances, helping Galatasaray successfully defend their Turkish Super Lig title.
His impact was equally impressive in Europe, where he registered seven goals and three assists in the UEFA Champions League, playing a key role in Galatasaray's journey to the Round of 16.
While Osimhen has publicly dismissed suggestions that a transfer is imminent, the growing interest from Premier League giants and Galatasaray's firm stance on his valuation ensure that his future will remain one of the most closely watched stories of the summer transfer window.
For now, the striker remains focused on his commitments in Turkey, but with Chelsea and Manchester United reportedly monitoring the situation closely, speculation surrounding his next move is unlikely to disappear anytime soon.