Istanbulspor president Ecmel Faik Sarıalioğlu has dismissed reports suggesting that Nigerian superstar Victor Osimhen is in the process of acquiring the Turkish second-tier club.
Speculation had intensified after multiple media outlets reported that the Galatasaray forward was planning to acquire Istanbulspor as part of a long-term football development project.
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However, Sarialioglu firmly denied any such possibility.
“The reports are not true. We have no knowledge of any such thing. It simply cannot happen,” he told Turkish journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu.
The rumours originated from a report by Afrik-Foot, which claimed Osimhen intended to build a structured talent pipeline between Nigeria and Türkiye. The proposal reportedly involved establishing a football academy and scouting network in Nigeria, with young talents progressing through Istanbulspor as a gateway into European football.
The plan suggested transforming Istanbulspor into a development hub with direct links to grassroots football in West Africa, providing emerging players with early exposure in Europe before moving on to top leagues.
Osimhen had further fuelled speculation during an appearance on a livestream hosted by Twitch personality Carter Efe, where he hinted at a project along similar lines.
Founded in 1926, Istanbulspor is one of Istanbul’s oldest clubs and currently competes in Turkey’s second division.
Its modest financial profile and fluctuating history between divisions had made it a seemingly viable target for potential investors seeking to reshape a club’s sporting identity without the financial burden of top-tier sides.
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