Bad News for Dries Mertens:

Victor Osimhen to Galatasaray

Victor Osimhen is set to send his former teammate Dries Mertens to the bench. With the addition of Europe’s 4th most valuable striker to their squad, Galatasaray will change their playing system. In this case, with the Osimhen move, Mertens will be sidelined in Galatasaray’s 2025 model. Despite being a key player in the team’s championship wins over the past two seasons, Mertens will now be used as a substitute by Okan Buruk.

NO NEED FOR A NUMBER 10

Last season, Mertens played 36 league matches for Galatasaray, contributing 9 goals and 19 assists for a total of 28 goal contributions, playing a crucial role in the championship and missing only 2 games all season. With the Osimhen signing and Mauro Icardi’s recovery from injury, Okan Buruk plans to switch to a 3-5-2 system and does not want any reinforcements in the number 10 position. Galatasaray has canceled their pursuit of a number 10 following the Osimhen move.