Jose Mourinho has reportedly made Victor Osimhen one of his priority transfer targets as discussions continue over a sensational return to Real Madrid ahead of next season.
According to reports from Spain, Portugal and Turkey, the Portuguese manager has emerged as a leading candidate to take charge at the Santiago Bernabéu following another disappointing campaign for the Spanish giants.
Jose Mourinho and Victor Osimhen exchanging handshake while at Napoli. Photocredit: Imago
Madrid’s 2-0 defeat to Barcelona at Camp Nou confirmed a second consecutive season without a major trophy and sealed Barca’s 29th La Liga title. The latest El Clasico setback intensified pressure inside the Madrid boardroom after a campaign that quickly unravelled.
The season began with optimism after Xabi Alonso replaced Carlo Ancelotti last summer. However, poor results led to Alonso’s dismissal in January, with former Madrid defender Alvaro Arbeloa stepping in as interim coach for the remainder of the season.
READMORE: “We are going to Wembley” – Chiamaka Nnadozie reacts as Brighton reach historic FA Cup final
Madrid was also knocked out of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals by Bayern Munich and suffered a shock Copa del Rey exit against second-tier side Albacete.
Now, club president Florentino Perez is reportedly planning another rebuild, with Mourinho strongly linked to a return to the club he managed between 2010 and 2013.
Florentino Perez and Jose Mourinho. Photocredit: Imago
During his first spell in Madrid, Mourinho won La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup while building one of Europe’s most competitive teams. Reports claim the Portuguese coach, currently with Benfica, could return if Madrid activate his reported €3 million release clause.
Turkish outlet Fanatik, citing French sources, claims Mourinho has specifically requested the signing of Victor Osimhen as part of his conditions to accept the Madrid job.
Why Mourinho wants Osimhen
Mourinho has admired Osimhen for several years and previously compared the Nigerian striker to Didier Drogba, one of the most successful forwards of his managerial career.
The Portuguese coach reportedly believes Madrid have lacked a true central striker since Karim Benzema left for Saudi Arabia in 2023.
Although Kylian Mbappe arrived with enormous expectations, there is growing belief that the French captain is more effective starting from the left rather than operating permanently through the middle. Mourinho reportedly sees Osimhen as the ideal focal point that would allow Mbappe and Vinicius Junior to thrive in wider attacking roles.
Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray poses for a photo with trophy. Photocredit: Imago
Since completing his permanent move to Galatasaray after a successful loan spell, the Super Eagles striker has remained one of Europe’s most productive forwards. The 27-year-old has scored 22 goals and provided eight assists in 33 matches across all competitions this season, helping Galatasaray win another Turkish league title and reach the knockout rounds of the UEFA Champions League.
His pace, movement, aerial ability and relentless pressing continue to make him one of the continent’s most feared strikers.
Mourinho also knows Osimhen well from their Serie A meetings when the Nigerian starred for Napoli and Mourinho managed AS Roma.
Barcelona are also believed to admire Osimhen as a potential long-term replacement for Robert Lewandowski, who is expected to leave the club this summer.
Coach Hansi Flick reportedly wants a striker capable of leading an aggressive pressing system while offering pace and movement behind opposition defences qualities Osimhen possesses in abundance.
That could turn the Nigerian into one of the most important transfer battles of the summer window.
Osimhen converted from the spot against Liverpool. Photo Credit: Getty Images
Madrid reportedly believe Osimhen could restore balance to their attack under Mourinho, while Barcelona see him as the striker capable of extending their domestic dominance and strengthening their UEFA Champions League ambitions.
Galatasaray, however, are determined to keep their star forward despite interest from several top European clubs including Arsenal, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN ATHLETIC NG WHATSAPP CHANNEL NOW!
Club vice president Abdullah Kavukcu recently underlined Osimhen’s importance in Istanbul.
“I wouldn’t sell Osimhen for 150 million euros, but it’s a matter for our president to decide,” Kavukcu told HT Spor. “When you sell him, you also need to find a replacement player.”
If Real Madrid eventually succeed in signing Osimhen, the Nigerian would become the first Nigerian born player to feature for the club’s senior team, a landmark moment both for the striker and Nigerian football.
