Galatasaray Defeat Overshadowed by Osimhen Salary Claim

Galatasaray’s 2–0 defeat to Konyaspor has sparked fresh debate around Victor Osimhen’s absence from the squad and Mauro Icardi’s early withdrawal.

Head coach Okan Buruk explained that Osimhen was left out due to knee pain, adding that the striker himself did not want to risk aggravating the issue ahead of the upcoming away clash against Juventus.

Buruk also addressed Icardi’s substitution at half-time, noting: ‘Maybe he could have stayed in the game a little longer. We took him out because we saw that he was not 100 percent.’

He revealed the Argentine had stiffness in his back but insisted the player had felt fit enough to start.

Beyond the tactical and fitness concerns, a report in Hürriyet raised a striking claim: Osimhen, who signed with Galatasaray on a lucrative deal worth €21 million net per year, has allegedly not received his January and February salaries.

The report has fueled speculation and added to the uncertainty surrounding the Nigerian star’s situation at the club.