Does Liverpool performance show clubs made striker mishap in transfer window?

Did Premier League Clubs Miss Out On Victor Osimhen?

Galatasaray’s capture of Victor Osimhen has sparked debate across Europe. At €75million, it was a record-breaking signing for the Turkish champions, and already it looks like money well spent. Watching him dismantle Liverpool in the Champions League at Rams Park only added weight to the sense that the Premier League elite may have overlooked an opportunity. Credit goes to The Athletic for highlighting the wider context around this story.

Osimhen’s Impact In Istanbul

Okan Buruk summed up the magnitude of the signing: “We spent a lot of money. It was like a miracle for a Turkish team to sign someone for €75million.” That word miracle may sound exaggerated, but for a club whose previous transfer record had not even passed €20million, it was transformative.

Osimhen’s influence has been immediate. Against Liverpool, he bullied the defence with pace, strength and intelligent movement. His penalty secured the winner, but his performance was defined by relentless running and sharp awareness. One moment almost stole the headlines when he spotted Alisson off his line and attempted an audacious lob that drifted just over.

Galatasaray were not gambling blind. They had already enjoyed the Nigerian’s firepower during his loan spell from Napoli last season, when he delivered 37 goals in 41 appearances. Buruk admitted he left it late to decide whether Osimhen was fit to play against Liverpool, and even at less than full sharpness he looked unstoppable.

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Premier League Hesitation

The question inevitably arises: why did no Premier League club act? His record against English opposition is telling. He has now scored six goals in six games against Premier League sides, with strikes against Tottenham, Leicester, Chelsea and now Liverpool.

Liverpool themselves considered him, but Arne Slot told reporters they preferred to pursue Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak, according to the Liverpool Echo. Arsenal opted for Viktor Gyokeres after his prolific spell in Portugal. Chelsea chose Joao Pedro and Liam Delap. Manchester United went with Benjamin Sesko, while Newcastle moved for Nick Woltemade after losing Isak. None of those names carry Osimhen’s proven scoring pedigree.

The reasons for hesitation are understandable. The €75million fee was significant, his wages of €15million a year plus €5million in image rights place him among Europe’s highest earners, and the Africa Cup of Nations creates scheduling headaches. His injury record is another concern, with muscle problems recurring.

Character And Connection

Beyond the financial and physical questions, doubts over Osimhen’s character were raised. Yet those within Galatasaray dismiss such claims. Club sources describe him as a unifying figure in the dressing room, while Buruk emphasised his bond with the supporters. “He loved our supporters, and they loved him. There was a really big connection. He was very happy here,” he said.

Off the pitch, his humility is noted. When Osimhen heard about a young fan who had dreamt of him after an operation, he invited the family to training and gifted the child a match-worn shirt. It may seem a small gesture, but it reflected positively on his personality and commitment to those who support him.

Future Implications

Osimhen could have gone to Saudi Arabia for more money, with Al Hilal offering nearly double Galatasaray’s package. Instead, he chose a club and a city that made him feel valued. His weekly wage of around €400,000 is offset by Turkey’s tax laws, making the move financially comfortable. Yet this was not solely about finance, it was also about belonging and trust.

For Premier League clubs, there may be regret. In a summer when Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Newcastle all needed proven goalscorers, the chance was there. Galatasaray seized it, and Osimhen is already repaying their faith. As one Turkish insider noted, “It was like a miracle,” but in truth, it was also a moment of foresight.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

From a Liverpool supporter’s perspective, the decision not to move for Osimhen feels questionable. Watching him score yet again against an English side was frustrating. The club invested faith in Hugo Ekitike, a player of potential but without the same proven record, and while Isak has quality, there was never a realistic chance of luring him from Newcastle without a bidding war.

Liverpool needed another forward with ruthless finishing ability. Darwin Núñez remains unpredictable, Cody Gakpo blows hot and cold, and while Mohamed Salah continues to deliver, he cannot carry the burden alone. After the tragic loss of Diogo Jota this summer, the squad required both depth and star quality. Osimhen could have offered both.

Supporters often view transfers through emotion as much as logic. Osimhen’s story, his energy and his ability to lift a team would have connected with the Kop. His wages and fee may have been steep, but when Arsenal are paying premium money for Gyokeres and United are gambling on Sesko, the sense lingers that Liverpool may have passed on a ready-made solution.

Osimhen chose Galatasaray for comfort and connection, but had Liverpool pushed harder, it is fair to wonder whether he could have been persuaded. Watching him torment Alisson and the defence in Istanbul was a painful reminder of what might have been. For a team competing on multiple fronts, this could prove one of the great what-ifs of the transfer window.