Galatasaray have stepped up their pursuit of Rangers defender Emmanuel Fernandez, with Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen reportedly playing a key role in the Turkish champions’ interest.
According to reports from Turkey, Osimhen has personally recommended Fernandez to Galatasaray officials, describing the Nigerian international as a defender capable of strengthening the club’s back line.
Having spent the past two seasons with the Istanbul giants, Osimhen is understood to have used his influence to advocate for his international teammate.
The recommendation comes as Galatasaray intensify plans to reinforce their squad ahead of the new season, with Fernandez emerging as one of their top defensive targets.
The 24-year-old centre-back is reportedly open to the move and would relish the opportunity to link up with Osimhen at club level after recently becoming teammates with the Super Eagles.
However, completing the deal will not be straightforward. Rangers are believed to value Fernandez at around €20 million (£17 million), and while preliminary discussions have begun, the Scottish club are expected to negotiate firmly for one of their standout performers.
Galatasaray’s pursuit is also complicated by growing interest from across Europe. Bundesliga heavyweights Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund are monitoring the defender’s progress, while Ligue 1 side Stade Rennes have also entered the race.
Premier League clubs Arsenal and Chelsea have previously been linked with the Nigerian international, highlighting his rapidly rising reputation.
Fernandez has enjoyed a remarkable rise since arriving at Rangers from Peterborough United in the summer of 2025 for a reported £3 million.
Standing at 1.98 metres (6ft 6in), the commanding defender has established himself as one of the Scottish Premiership’s most dominant centre-backs. His aerial strength, physical presence and versatility across the defensive line have made him a vital figure for Rangers, while his threat from set-pieces has added another dimension to his game.
His impressive debut campaign saw him make 37 appearances in all competitions, score five goals and feature prominently in the UEFA Europa League. Those performances earned him Rangers’ Player of the Season award and significantly boosted his profile across Europe.
Fernandez’s journey to the top has been anything but conventional. After progressing through Brentford’s academy, he represented Gillingham, Ramsgate and Barnet before making his breakthrough at Peterborough United, where he helped the club lift the 2024-25 EFL Trophy. His rapid development eventually secured his move to Rangers, where he has continued to flourish.
His emergence has also been mirrored on the international stage.
Born in London to Nigerian parents, Fernandez chose to represent Nigeria despite being eligible for England. He made his Super Eagles debut in March as a substitute for Semi Ajayi during Nigeria’s 2-1 friendly victory over Iran.
Just four days later, he announced himself in spectacular fashion by scoring on his first international start as Nigeria played out a 2-2 draw against Jordan. Those performances further strengthened his growing reputation as one of the country’s brightest defensive prospects.
With Galatasaray pushing to secure his signature and several top European clubs keeping close tabs on his situation, Fernandez is expected to be one of the most sought-after defenders of the summer transfer window.
Whether Osimhen’s endorsement proves decisive remains to be seen, but the race for the Rangers star is gathering momentum as interest in the Super Eagles defender continues to grow.
