Can Barcelona Afford Nigerian Striker Victor Osimhen?
FC Barcelona are considering a move for Victor Osimhen as they begin planning for life after veteran striker Robert Lewandowski, but the Spanish giants may face a major financial challenge if they decide to pursue the highly valued Nigerian forward currently playing for Galatasaray.
Spanish giants FC Barcelona are already planning for the future as the club prepares for life after veteran striker Robert Lewandowski.
Lewandowski, who joined Barcelona from FC Bayern Munich in 2022, has been one of the team’s most reliable scorers, netting 115 goals in 179 matches in all competitions. However, the Polish forward will turn 38 in August, and the club is now looking for a younger striker to lead the attack in the coming years.
One of the players being closely monitored is Nigerian international Victor Osimhen. The powerful striker currently plays for Galatasaray and remains one of the most sought-after forwards in European football.
Osimhen has continued to impress in Turkey. Since joining Galatasaray, the Super Eagles star has scored 54 goals and provided 11 assists in 67 appearances, further strengthening his reputation as a top striker.
Osimhen’s current value and salary
As of early 2026, Osimhen’s estimated market value stands at around €75 million. He signed a four-year contract running until 2029 after completing a move from SSC Napoli.
The Nigerian forward is now believed to be the highest-paid Nigerian footballer, earning an annual salary between €15 million and €18 million, including bonuses. His weekly earnings are estimated at around €400,000, making any potential transfer a major financial commitment for interested clubs.
Barcelona’s search for a new striker
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has already experimented with different attacking options this season. Spanish forward Ferran Torres has occasionally been used as a central striker, but he has not fully convinced as a long-term solution.
The club’s sporting director Deco is therefore assessing several strikers across Europe. One of Barcelona’s top targets is Julián Álvarez of Atlético Madrid, while Harry Kane of FC Bayern Munich has also been admired.
However, both players could be very expensive. Atlético Madrid are unlikely to sell Álvarez easily, while Kane’s wages and age may make a deal difficult.
This has made players like Osimhen and Omar Marmoush of Manchester City possible alternatives if Barcelona fail to sign their first-choice targets.
Barcelona’s improving finances
Barcelona’s financial situation has improved significantly in recent years. The club is projecting more than €1 billion in revenue for the 2025/26 season, while its total debt has been reduced to about €469 million.
The Catalan club has also benefited from a new commercial agreement with Nike and increased sponsorship deals. In addition, the partial return to the renovated Spotify Camp Nou is expected to generate around €50 million in additional income.
La Liga has also raised Barcelona’s salary spending limit to €432.8 million, a clear sign that the club is recovering financially.
Can the deal happen?
Despite the financial recovery, signing Osimhen would still be a challenging move. Barcelona must continue to follow La Liga’s financial control rules, especially the 1:1 spending rule, which allows clubs to spend only what they generate.
Because of Osimhen’s €75 million valuation and high wages, Barcelona may need to sell players or reduce their wage bill before attempting a deal.
For now, the Nigerian striker remains one of several attacking options being studied by the Catalan club as they plan for the post-Lewandowski era. ⚽
