Victor Osimhen has fallen from first to fifth among Africa’s most valuable footballers—but his form on the pitch remains electric.
The Nigerian striker is now valued at €75 million by Transfermarkt, down the continental ranking from the No. 1 position he held in 2023.
Four players currently sit above him:
- Yan Diomande — €90 million
- Achraf Hakimi — €80 million
- Antoine Semenyo — €80 million
- Ayyoub Bouaddi — €80 million
Osimhen shares sixth place overall with Manchester United forward Bryan Mbeumo, who is also valued at €75 million.
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Osimhen’s Market Value Falls Despite Strong Start
The change in ranking comes despite an impressive opening to the 2026/27 season with Galatasaray.
Osimhen has scored four goals and supplied one assist in his first two matches, continuing his prolific record since joining the Turkish champions.
The 27-year-old has also climbed to third on Galatasaray’s all-time list of foreign goalscorers.
His performances have continued to attract interest from major clubs. Arsenal are reportedly among the teams monitoring his situation, while Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal have also been linked with the striker.
Still Nigeria’s Most Valuable Player
Although Osimhen has slipped to fifth in Africa, he remains the most valuable Nigerian footballer and the highest-valued player in the Turkish Süper Lig.
Since joining Galatasaray from Napoli, he has scored 63 goals in 76 appearances for the Istanbul club.
His transfer history also reflects his standing among Africa’s biggest football stars. His 2020 move from Lille to Napoli was reportedly worth about $91 million, while Galatasaray’s permanent acquisition from Napoli was valued at approximately $87 million.
Osimhen’s Global Ranking
Transfermarkt currently places Osimhen 20th among the world’s most valuable forwards.
Among specialist centre-forwards, he ranks eighth globally.
Manchester City’s Erling Haaland leads that list at €220 million, followed by Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé at €200 million and Atlético Madrid’s Julián Álvarez at €120 million.
Alexander Isak and Lautaro Martínez are each valued at €85 million, while Hugo Ekitike and João Pedro sit at €80 million.
Diomande Leads Africa’s Transfer Market
Yan Diomande’s reported $144 million move from RB Leipzig to Real Madrid currently stands as the highest-valued African transfer, according to the figures provided.
Nicolas Pepe’s reported $92 million move from Lille in 2019 ranks next, while Osimhen’s major transfers have also placed him firmly among Africa’s most expensive players.
Another Nigerian, Ademola Lookman, is valued at €35 million. The Atlético Madrid winger has established himself as an important attacking player at club level and for the Super Eagles.
Lookman was also one of Nigeria’s key attacking outlets during the country’s third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where Osimhen was among the team’s standout performers.
Fifth in Value, Still Elite in Impact
Osimhen’s fall in the rankings does not erase his status as one of Africa’s premier strikers.
His market value may have changed. His goal-scoring record has not.
With four goals in his first two matches of the new season, the Galatasaray forward has an immediate opportunity to turn his on-field form into another rise up the market-value rankings.