Icardi wants Galatasaray return, Özbek responds

Mauro Icardi's contract with Galatasaray expired at the end of last season, and the veteran striker's transfer saga has resurfaced in the headlines. The club had initially offered him a new deal but withdrew it after receiving no response. Since then, Icardi has failed to secure an agreement with any other club, and according to reports, a return to the Yellow-Reds is now back on the table.

According to Argentine media reports, Icardi has signaled his desire to wear the Galatasaray jersey once again. Reports suggest the forward is willing to significantly lower his salary demands in order to make his comeback possible. However, no concrete steps have been taken by the club so far regarding this potential reunion.

The first official reaction came from Galatasaray president Dursun Özbek. Speaking at an event held by the 1905 Kültür Sanat Spor Derneği, Özbek revealed that he had made an offer for Icardi to stay, but the player's expectations were considerably higher than what was proposed. He stressed that the issue was not purely financial, noting that the real challenge was figuring out how Icardi and Victor Osimhen could both feature in the same squad.

Özbek described Icardi as an icon of the club, crediting him with turning an entire generation into Galatasaray supporters. He added that he is still waiting for a response from the player regarding a farewell ceremony and confirmed that one would be organized if Icardi agrees to return. The president also reflected on how every football career has its limits, noting that fan sentiment can shift quickly once performance declines, citing past examples to illustrate his point.