Super Eagle sticker Victor Osimhen drops down to 5th in Africa’s MVP ranking

Victor Osimhen has dropped to fifth in Africa’s most valuable footballers ranking, according to Transfermarkt data, after previously occupying the top position in 2023.

The Super Eagles striker is currently valued at €75 million, putting him behind Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande (€90m), Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi (€80m), Manchester City winger Antoine Semenyo (€80m) and Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi (€80m).

Osimhen is level with Manchester United forward Bryan Mbeumo, who completes the top six. The drop in ranking comes despite the Nigerian’s impressive start to the 2026/27 season with Turkish champions Galatasaray. The 27-year-old has scored four goals and provided one assist in his first two matches. 

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Osimhen has also moved into third place on Galatasaray’s all-time list of foreign goalscorers and remains a transfer target for several clubs, although no deal has materialised so far. Arsenal are reportedly among the clubs most strongly linked with the striker, while Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal are also monitoring his situation.

Globally, Transfermarkt ranks Osimhen as the 20th most valuable forward, with his market value determined by factors including age, performances and statistics. Among specialist centre-forwards, he ranks eighth in the world.

Manchester City and Norway striker Erling Haaland tops the centre-forward ranking at €220 million, followed by Real Madrid and France forward Kylian Mbappé at €200 million. Argentina and Atlético Madrid striker Julián Álvarez is third at €120 million.

Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak and Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martínez are valued at €85 million, while Hugo Ekitike and João Pedro are both valued at €80 million.

Despite the continental ranking, Osimhen remains the most valuable Nigerian footballer and the most valuable player in the Turkish Süper Lig. He has scored 63 goals in 76 appearances for Galatasaray since joining the club from Napoli.

Osimhen’s market value also reflects his position among Africa’s most expensive transfers. His move from Lille to Napoli in 2020 was valued at about $91 million, while his permanent transfer from Napoli to Galatasaray was reportedly worth $87 million.

Yan Diomande’s reported $144 million move from RB Leipzig to Real Madrid currently tops the list of the most expensive African transfers, ahead of former Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe’s $92 million move from Lille in 2019. Osimhen is joined among Africa’s highly valued Nigerian stars by Atlético Madrid winger Ademola Lookman, who is valued at €35 million.

Lookman has continued to establish himself as an important attacking player for Atlético, while also playing a key role for Nigeria. He was one of the Super Eagles’ main creative outlets during their third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where Osimhen was also among the standout performers.