Osimhen second on list of biggest transfer value drops

As the January winter transfer window begins to take shape, Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has emerged as the second-highest transfer value drop in world football, with his market value plummeting by £29m, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

According to Transfermarkt, Paris Saint-Germain striker Randal Kolo Muani tops the list with a £33m decrease in value, following his £76.4m move from Eintracht Frankfurt last summer. The Frenchman’s performances since joining PSG have left much to be desired, managing just 11 goals from 53 appearances, with only two goals in his opening 10 Ligue 1 matches this season.

Osimhen, who joined Turkish giants Galatasaray on loan from Napoli in September, shares second place with Bayern Munich’s Leroy Sane, both experiencing £29m drops in their market values.

Despite netting 12 goals and providing five assists in 14 appearances across all competitions for the Istanbul club, the Nigerian forward’s value has continued to decline due to playing in a lower-ranked league now than the first half of 2024 and the length of his current contract.

This development comes amid intense speculation linking the 26-year-old with a potential move to Manchester United, with the Red Devils already holding preliminary talks with Napoli over triggering his €75m release clause.

However, Osimhen recently addressed the speculation, telling our correspondent, “I will not leave in January, I am at Galatasaray until the end of the season.”

Former Galatasaray coach Hamza Hamzaoğlu’s recent comments suggesting the Turkish club cannot afford a permanent deal have only fueled speculation about a Premier League switch, particularly with Arsenal emerging as a serious contenders following Bukayo Saka’s injury setback.

Sane’s dramatic fall in value coincides with his reduced playing time at Bayern Munich since Michael Olise’s summer arrival from Crystal Palace. The Germany international has started just five Bundesliga matches under Vincent Kompany’s leadership, managing only three goals from 11 total league appearances.

Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli occupies the fourth position with a £24m decrease, a value drop he shares with Bayern Munich’s Kingsley Coman and Al-Hilal’s Neymar. The Brazilian forward has come under criticism amid his struggling performances for the title-chasing Gunners, managing just five goals from 18 Premier League appearances this term.

The Daily Mail reports that Coman’s situation mirrors that of his teammate Sane, with both wingers struggling to secure regular starting positions in Bayern Munich’s lineup following the club’s summer recruitment drive. The French international’s diminishing role has directly impacted his market valuation.

Neymar’s substantial transfer value decrease follows his struggles with injuries since moving to Saudi Arabia. The former Barcelona star has featured in just seven matches for Al-Hilal before suffering an ACL injury during an Asian Champions League match in October, shortly after making his comeback.

Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar has also seen his value drop by £24m, while Liverpool’s Federico Chiesa and Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich have both experienced £23.2m decreases. Chiesa’s struggles to adapt to Premier League football have been well-documented, while Kimmich’s reduced influence in Bayern’s midfield has affected his market worth.

The list of significant value drops extends to several Premier League stars, with Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku, Brighton’s Evan Ferguson, Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus, and Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne all suffering £20m decreases in their market values.

Nkunku’s situation at Chelsea has been particularly concerning, with the £53m signing starting just two Premier League matches since his January 1st arrival. The 27-year-old has been largely restricted to European appearances, struggling to establish himself in Mauricio Pochettino’s first-team plans.

Manchester City’s attacking midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has seen his value diminish amid an injury-plagued campaign. The Belgian maestro, sidelined since October, has struggled to rediscover his best form, contributing to his significant market value decline.

Another high-profile name experiencing a notable decrease is Jack Grealish, who finds himself just outside the top 10 biggest drops. The Manchester City winger has endured a challenging year, failing to find the back of the net for the Premier League champions throughout the entirety of 2024.

Brighton’s Ferguson has also witnessed his stock fall after being tipped for a big-money move following last season’s breakthrough campaign. The Irish forward has started just two Premier League matches in the 2024-25 season, scoring once for Roberto De Zerbi’s side.

Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong rounds out the notable names on the list, with the Dutch international’s transfer value dropping by £16.6m over the past year. This decrease reflects Barcelona’s overall struggles and De Jong’s inconsistent form in the heart of Xavi’s midfield.

These value drops come at a crucial time in the football calendar, with the January transfer window providing clubs an opportunity to strengthen their squads. However, the declining values of several high-profile players suggest clubs may need to exercise caution in their winter recruitment strategies.

United’s new manager Ruben Amorim has made no secret of his dissatisfaction with his current striking options, particularly the finishing prowess of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee. The Red Devils’ interest in triggering Osimhen’s release clause underscores their determination to address a goalscoring crisis that has seen them net just 21 times in the Premier League this season.