Victor Osimhen’s market value drops to €75m, but he remains Nigeria’s most valuable player and a top African star despite injury and club changes
Victor Osimhen’s market value has seen a decline to €75 million, according to Transfermarkt, but the Super Eagles forward still ranks as Nigeria’s most valuable player and one of Africa’s elite football exports.
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The drop from his peak valuation of €120 million in 2023 comes after a series of setbacks, including injuries, reduced playing time, and a turbulent end to his time at Napoli.
Despite these challenges, Osimhen’s stock remains strong globally — standing just behind Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and still ahead of Egyptian star Mohamed Salah in terms of transfer valuation.
Osimhen’s career path paints the picture of a steady and resilient rise. Starting out at Wolfsburg in Germany with a modest valuation of just over €1 million, he struggled for minutes in the Bundesliga.
However, a loan move to Belgian side Charleroi helped him find form and doubled his worth.
A breakout season at Lille in France followed, where his market value surged to €50 million within a year, drawing attention from top European clubs. But it was his move to Napoli in 2020 that catapulted him to stardom.
At Napoli, Osimhen became one of Europe’s most lethal strikers, famously firing the club to their first Serie A title in over three decades.
His explosive pace, aerial strength, and goal-scoring prowess saw his market value soar to a record €120 million — the highest ever for a Nigerian footballer.
Injuries and uncertainty around his future in Naples began to affect his form by late 2023.
After months of speculation, he made a permanent switch to Turkish giants Galatasaray in 2025, following a brief loan spell.
The move triggered a market recalibration, with his value now sitting at €75 million.
Yet, Osimhen remains a talismanic figure for Nigeria and a beacon of hope for aspiring talents.
His journey from grassroots football to commanding multimillion-euro fees on the world stage highlights Nigeria’s growing presence in global football.
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For both club and country, the 26-year-old striker still has much to offer. As he looks to rediscover his best form in Turkey, fans and scouts alike will be watching closely.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
