From €120m to €75m: Osimhen’s market value slides – Report

Super Eagles and Galatasaray striker, Victor Osimhen, has experienced a drop in his market value, but he still stands tall as Nigeria’s most valuable player and one of Africa’s biggest football exports.

Data from football statistics website Transfermarkt shows that Osimhen’s current market value is €75m, a decline from his all-time peak of about €120m recorded during his spell with Napoli in Italy.

The chart, which tracks the 26-year-old’s progress since the start of his career, paints a picture of his journey from Germany to stardom in Italy.

Osimhen began his European career at Wolfsburg, where his market value was barely above €1m. After struggling for game time in the Bundesliga, he moved to Charleroi in Belgium, where his performances caught attention and doubled his value.

His move to Lille in France marked a turning point. Within one season, his strong performances in Ligue 1 and the Europa League pushed his value to around €50m, catching the eye of top clubs across Europe.

Osimhen experienced a major boost in his market value when he move to Napoli in 2020.

Over the next three seasons, Osimhen became one of Europe’s most prolific strikers, leading Napoli to their first Serie A title in over three decades.

His consistent goalscoring form and explosive style of play saw his market value soar past €100m, peaking at around €120m in 2023 which is the highest ever for a Nigerian player.

However, the chart also shows a notable decline in 2024. His value dropped as his playing time reduced due to injuries and transfer uncertainties, coupled with Napoli’s inconsistent season.

His permanent move to Galatasaray this year, after initailly going there on loan, was followed by another market adjustment, with his valuation stabilising at around €75m.

Despite the decline, Osimhen remains one of Africa’s most valuable footballers — behind only Achraf Hakimi of Morocco.

His value still places him ahead of other top African stars such as Egypt’s Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmous.

For Nigerian football, Osimhen’s rise remains a symbol of hope. From humble beginnings to becoming a €120m player, his journey reflects not just personal success but Nigeria’s growing influence in global football.(Punch)