By our reporter 21.4.2026
Top striker Victor Osimhen has strongly expressed his desire to play in Sunday’s clash between his club Galatasaray and rivals Fenerbahce in the much-anticipated Istanbul derby.
Since busting his arm in the Champions League round of 16 tie against Liverpool on March 18, Osimhen has been out of action. Last weekend he was part of the traveling team to Gençlerbirliği SK, but according to Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk Osimhen did not play on doctors advise.
But he is likely to make a return on Wednesday when Galatasaray face Gençlerbirliği in Turkish Cup quarter-final clash even as the coach is still having second thoughts about rushing his top striker back to action.
However, Osimhen was quoted by Haberler as saying: “No matter the condition of my arm, I will play against Fenerbahçe. I have to do this in front of our fans. This derby will be my match.”
Osimhen according to reports will undergo fitness tests on Friday.
“Okan Buruk is working on two different game plans for the Victor Osimhen and Mauro Icardi duo. Whether Osimhen will be on the field in the derby will become clear after the final checks to be conducted on Friday,” said Turkish journalist Süleyman Rodop in a chat with Forza Cimbom.
He wants to play in the derby. Whether he will start will become clear within the next two days.”