Galatasaray of Turkey striker, Henry Onyekuru is in line to revive the long-standing though very uncanny tradition of Nigerian players lining out for Olympiakos of Greece, as the Greek Super League outfit are said to be keen on signing him this summer, megasportsarena.com gathered.
Although Onyekuru has not been able to replicate his fiery form, which was seen of him during his days at KAS Eupen and RSC Anderlecht of Belgium, the youngster has apparently caught the eye of Olympiakos’ scouts over the years, even as his future at Galatasaray lies in doubt for now.
Suspense continues over the possibility of Onyekuru returning to his parent club, AS Monaco at the end of this season, when the loan deal that took him back to Gala runs to a close, such that it is uncertain how Olympiakos stand to work out a successful deal for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations bronze medalist, who missed Nigeria’s squad to Russia 2018 World Cup due to injury.
Just as it was in 2018, when a nasty knock put paid to his high hopes of shining with Anderlecht, Onyekuru started his second spell at Galatasaray with an attack of malaria fever, which ruled him out of the club’s first two marches of the season, but Turkish newspaper, Milliyet disclosed that Olympiakos want to sign the striker from Monaco in the summer transfer window.
That would mean Onyekuru becoming the next Nigerian attacker to play for Olympiakos, after Rashid Yekini, Haruna Babangida (Daddy), Aide Brown Ideye, Emmanuel Emenike and Michael Olaitan; although the latest lad under the radar still has four years to run on his contract with Monaco, which he joined from Everton of England last summer.
He, however, struggled at Monaco in the first half of the season and had to quickly return to Galatasaray in January for a second spell at the club he had astonishing marks with last season, while on loan from Everton, and, although this time out he has managed a single goal in seven Turkish Super Lig outings, The Lions want to extend his loan deal for another season.
This means Gala have a tough task on their hands, considering that Monaco have already made it clear they will only entertain offers for a permanent sale of the attacker, which has now set speculation in motion that he could jolly well be on his way to joining Olympiakos this summer.
In the meantime, Onyeuru has commenced preparations for the restart of action in the Turkish top-flight, having rejoined the rest of Fatih Terim’s squad early, with a view to replicate the form of his first stint with Galatasaray, when featured in 31 league games and scored 14 goals to help them clinch the 2018/19 title, but he has this time out managed only nine appearances for the team, who stand third on the Lig table with 50 points from 26 games.
Onyekuru took to social media to reveal his delight at the long-awaited opportunity to get back into full training, following weeks of inactivity occasioned by the lockdown on football action, social gatherings and free movement due to coronavirus and he posted: “Blessed to be healthy enough to be back in training. I pray you are all staying safe and we aim to be back in action ASAP! 🙏🏾⚡️💛❤️.”
