Super Eagles stars Victor Osimhen and Chidera Ejuke have returned to their respective clubs as preparations for the 2026/27 season gather pace across Europe.
Osimhen is set to rejoin Galatasaray training on Friday after being granted an extended summer break by the Turkish champions following another demanding campaign for club and country.
The 27-year-old was absent when Galatasaray officially began pre-season earlier this week under head coach Okan Buruk, fuelling fresh speculation over his future amid reported interest from Atletico Madrid and clubs in the Saudi Pro League.
However, the striker’s delayed return was sanctioned by the club and was unrelated to the transfer rumours, with Osimhen spotted boarding a private jet on Wednesday as he travelled back to Turkey.
Galatasaray had allowed several senior players additional time off after a lengthy domestic and international season, with Buruk staggering the return of key members of his squad ahead of the new campaign.
Work resumes in Turkey for Victor Osimhen. Photocredit: Imago
Osimhen enjoyed another impressive season after completing his permanent move from Napoli in the summer of 2025 in a €75 million deal that made him the most expensive signing in Turkish football history.
The Nigerian striker scored 15 league goals and registered five assists in 22 Super Lig appearances while adding seven goals and three assists in the UEFA Champions League.
Despite persistent transfer speculation towards the end of last season, Osimhen publicly reiterated his desire to remain at Galatasaray, and the club are expected to resist any attempt to lure him away unless a substantial offer is received before the transfer window closes.
Galatasaray will continue their preparations with a training camp in Windischgarsten, Austria, from July 23 to 29. During the camp, they will face AC Monza on July 24 at the Raiffeisen Arena in Linz before taking on Venezia three days later. Their pre-season programme concludes with a glamour friendly against Villarreal at RAMS Park on August 8.
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Meanwhile, Ejuke has also returned to Sevilla after the Spanish club resumed preparations for the new season.
The 28-year-old winger was spotted at the club’s training complex on Thursday but did not take part in the main group session. Instead, he completed an individual programme alongside Castrin and returning loanee Alfonso Gonzalez.
Chidera Ejuke. Photocredit: Imago
Ejuke joined Sevilla on a free transfer in 2024 and has experienced mixed fortunes in Spain, alternating between regular first team opportunities and periods on the fringes of the squad.
With just one year remaining on his current contract, his return for pre-season suggests he remains part of Sevilla’s immediate plans, although his future is far from certain. Clubs from the Premier League, the Belgian Pro League and Saudi Arabia have all been linked with the Nigerian winger during the current transfer window.
Sevilla are still awaiting the return of another Nigerian international, Akor Adams.
The striker, who scored 10 goals and provided three assists in 32 La Liga appearances last season to help preserve Sevilla’s top flight status, is currently in Nigeria and is expected to rejoin the squad in the coming days if no transfer materialises.
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Adams has reportedly attracted interest from Marseille, Sunderland and Venezia, although the forward still has three years remaining on his contract with the Spanish club.
