How Galatasaray will line up with Victor Osimhen and Casemiro

Tom Weber

• Updated: 4 Sept 2024 16:17 BST
• 3 min read

Turkish champions Galatasaray have a stacked squad following the acquisition of Victor Osimhen.

The Nigerian sharpshooter has joined in a shock loan deal from Napoli after moves to PSG, Chelsea and Al-Ahli fell through during the respective summer transfer windows.

Osimhen may only stay at Galatasaray for four months as a break clause in his contract will allow him to sign for a more elite European team in January.

For now, however, the 25-year-old will suit up for the Istanbul giants and he could yet be joined by Man Utd midfielder Casemiro. The Brazilian has been heavily linked with a loan move to Gala and, as the Turkish window still remains open for some time, a transfer is possible.

READ MORE: Man Utd to dump £300k-per-week star

How Galatasaray will line up with Osimhen and Casemiro

Galatasaray will have a wealth of options up top with Osimhen in the squad, but the rest of the team, of course, isn't bad either. In goal, the eternal Fernando Muslera will start at 38 years of age.

New signing Ismail Jakobs is the starting left-back after replacing Derrick Kohn, while Kaan Ayhan will line up on the right. The centre-back partnership will consist of Abdulkerim Badakci and Victor Nelsson.

Casemiro would occupy one of the holding midfield roles if he were to sign, potentially playing alongside Lucas Torreira or Kerem Demirbay.

READ MORE: Winners and losers of Victor Osimhen joining Galatasaray

Further forward, No.10 Dries Mertens may have to move out to the left after the sale of Kerem Akturkoglu, while Baris Alper Yilmaz plays wide right.

Up top, Osimhen will start alongside Mauro Icardi, while Michy Batshuayi comes off the bench. Hakim Ziyech, Gabriel Sara and Davinson Sanchez are high-profile options who will be vying for starting spots in midfield and the defence in the case of Sanchez.

Galatasaray's starting XI

GK: Fernando Muslera

LB: Ismail Jakobs

CB: Abdulkerim Badakci

CB: Victor Nelsson

RB: Kaan Ayhan

CM: Casemiro

CM: Lucas Torreira

LW: Dries Mertens

RW: Baris Alper Yilmaz

ST: Victor Osimhen

ST: Mauro Icardi