The Turkish giants are in no rush to renew Mauro Icardi’s contract, especially with Victor Osimhen scoring regularly
Galatasaray find themselves balancing loyalty to a club icon with the red-hot rise of a new superstar, as Mauro Icardi’s contract uncertainty lingers while Victor Osimhen’s form reaches historic levels.
The Argentine’s camp is pushing for clarity, but the Turkish champions appear in no hurry, largely because their new talisman keeps stealing the spotlight.
Pressure mounts from Icardi’s camp, but Galatasaray remain unmoved
Icardi’s agent Pino declared that the striker “cannot wait until the end of the season to learn the club’s intentions,” warning that they would “wait for a possible offer until December” before exploring alternative options.
He insisted that Icardi “has done his best for this magnificent club and its fans and deserves respect,” comments that did not sit well with club leadership.
Mauro Icardi is back!
President Dursun Özbek had already made Galatasaray’s stance clear, noting, “Whether a contract is signed or not is not a matter for today. The club can make a decision toward the end of the season.”
Club officials viewed Pino’s comments as leverage for a higher salary and refused to rush, reiterating their plan to evaluate the situation later.
Osimhen’s dominance shifts priorities in Istanbul
The situation around Icardi’s Galatasaray place also changed dramatically when Victor Osimhen exploded in Turkey.
While Icardi recovered from an ACL tear suffered in late 2024, the Nigerian superstar delivered a staggering 37 goals in 41 games on loan, then signed permanently and has followed up with six goals in nine matches, plus a club-record streak in Europe.
)
Mauro Icardi and Victor Osimhen at Galatasaray | IMAGO
Mauro Icardi and Victor Osimhen at Galatasaray | IMAGO
With such firepower, Galatasaray can afford patience. They admire Icardi, as he scored 48 league goals in two seasons and captains the side, but they no longer depend on him.
As board member Abdullah Kavukcu praised the squad’s continuity and fan energy, it became clear that contract decisions will happen on the club’s terms.
