Turkish football expert Yusuf Kenan Calik, believes that a potential transfer for Liverpool Captain Virgil Van Dijk to Turkish giants Galatasaray, would significantly overshadow that of Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen who joined earlier in the season.
Osimhen joined the Turkish champions on a season-long loan deal from Italian side Napoli at the end of the summer transfer window, and has been widely regarded as the biggest transfer in the club’s history.
The Nigerian forward has lived up to expectations, with 12 goals and a further five assists in all competitions this season as Galatasaray bid to defend their Turkish league crown as well as win the UEFA Europa League, but Yusuf Kenan believes a potential ‘coup’ for Dutch captain Van Dijk would usurp that of the 26-year old.
“It will be a bigger transfer than Osimhen. Van Dijk is still in great form. I think Van Dijk would be a bigger signing than Osimhen.
We are talking about one of the top 5 defenders in the world. I wouldn’t even compare him to Davinson Sanchez in terms of his career. He could be the best defender to come to Turkey”, he said.
The 33-year old Van Dijk whose current Liverpool contract expires in the summer, has been an ever-present in the Reds brilliant form this season as they top both the English Premier League and the UEFA Champions League.
However, he has been unable to agree an extension and is free to negotiate with clubs abroad, with top European clubs including Galatasaray interested in his signature.
Shina Oludare is a distinguished sports journalist and managing editor, renowned for his comprehensive coverage of African football. His dedication to elevating African sports on the global stage has earned him widespread respect, along with numerous accolades for his contributions. A graduate of the LaLiga Business School in Madrid, Oludare’s passion for sports and his influential work in African football journalism have established him as a leading figure in the industry.
