Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has dropped to fifth on the list of Africa’s most valuable footballers, having occupied first place in 2023 before falling to second in 2025 and then third ahead of this year’s Africa Cup of Nations, according to Transfermarkt data.
Osimhen, valued at €75m, now sits behind Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande (€90m), Paris Saint-Germain full-back Achraf Hakimi (€80m), Manchester City winger Antoine Semenyo (€80m) and Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi (€80m) on the continental list.
The 2024 African Player of The Year is level on value with Manchester United’s Bryan Mbeumo, who completes the top six.
The decline in ranking has come despite a stunning start to the 2026/27 season for the Nigerian at Turkish champions Galatasaray, where he has scored four goals and provided one assist in just two matches, continuing the form that has established him as one of Europe’s most sought-after marksmen.
The 27-year-old, who recently moved into third place on Galatasaray’s all-time foreign goalscorers list, remains a transfer target for several clubs before the window closes, although nothing has materialised so far.
Arsenal have emerged as the most likely destination for now, while Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal are also monitoring his situation.
Globally, Osimhen is ranked the 20th most valuable forward in world football, according to Transfermarkt, which calculates player market values based on factors including age, performances and statistics.
When the rankings are narrowed to out-and-out centre forwards, however, the Nigerian ranks eighth in the world, with seven players ahead of him.
Manchester City and Norway striker Erling Haaland tops that list as the most valuable striker in world football, with a market value of €220m, followed by France and Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe at €200m. Argentine forward Julian Alvarez, whose transfer situation has been linked with Osimhen’s in recent months, ranks third at €120m.
Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak is fourth at €85m, level with Inter Milan and Argentina striker Lautaro Martinez, while Hugo Ekitike and Joao Pedro complete the top seven, both valued at €80m. Osimhen’s €75m valuation places him eighth, though he remains both the most valuable Nigerian footballer in the world and the most valuable player in the Turkish Super Lig.
The Super Eagles forward has built his reputation as one of the game’s most prolific goalscorers, and has further strengthened that standing with 63 goals in 76 appearances for Galatasaray since his move from Napoli.
He will be looking to continue that form when Galatasaray return to Super Lig action against Goztepe on Saturday.
Osimhen’s continued high valuation also reflects his standing in the wider history of African transfers.
His move from Lille to Napoli in 2023 was valued at $91m, while his subsequent permanent transfer from Napoli to Galatasaray was reportedly worth $87m, meaning he features twice among the ten most expensive African players in history.
Diomande’s move from RB Leipzig to Real Madrid, worth a reported $144m, tops that all-time list, ahead of former Arsenal forward Nicolas Pepe’s $92m switch from Lille in 2019.
Osimhen shares Nigeria’s flag-bearing role among Africa’s most valuable stars with Atletico Madrid winger Ademola Lookman, who is valued at €35m.
Lookman has continued to grow in importance since his move to the Spanish club, showing his ability to create chances and influence matches from wide areas, and was Nigeria’s most creative attacking outlet as the Super Eagles finished third at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Osimhen was also among the standout performers at that tournament.
