Former Manchester United loan striker Odion Ighalo has indicated that he does not know where Victor Osimhen will end up but the Napoli man knows what he wants and will make the best decision for his career.
United are in the market for a new striker and Osimhen is believed to be on their radar once again.
Osimhen spent last season out on loan at Galatasaray, having been exiled from the Napoli first team after his failed bid to engineer an exit to Chelsea last summer.
But he didn’t skip a beat in Turkey, scoring 37 goals in 41 appearances. There have been claims that United have already held talks with the Nigerian but a transfer has yet to materialise.
At one point this month, it appeared Osimhen was set to move to the Saudi Pro League with Al-Hilal but he rejected their mega-money offer at the last hurdle as he holds out for a desired transfer to the Premier League. In addition to United, he also continues to be linked to Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool.
A report covered by The Peoples Person relayed that Galatasaray are keen to make his stay permanent and have urged him to decide on his future promptly to avoid delaying their transfer plans.
Where Osimhen will end up is still unclear, and for now, it appears the player himself doesn’t know either.
Ighalo, who spent the second part of the 2020/21 season with United, spoke to News Central TV [as quoted by Manchester Evening News] and opened up on Osimhen and what the future may hold for his fellow countryman.
Ighalo said, “For me, in the world today, you can’t mention two strikers without his name. It’s impossible. He’s doing so well.”
“We underrate our own; that’s the problem in Africa. We underrate our own African players and potentials, but if you want to search the world now for a proper goalscorer, tell me two or three, a true No.9, a centre forward and goalscorer. Search the world now for two or three, you’ll mention his name.”
On Osimhen’s future, Ighalo remarked, “It’s not easy because agents are calling every day, people are talking, the media and all of that, but I think Victor is mentally strong, because he has gone through challenges in his life, even at his age, and he has overcome them.”
“He knows what he wants. We were together two days ago, but we didn’t talk about football; we just had fun.”
“I believe he knows what he wants; he’s a grown-up guy now, he’s worked hard to be where he is today, so he knows what he wants. If he calls me for my opinion, I will tell him, but whatever decision he makes, it’s a win-win for him.”
Osimhen is believed to have a €75m release clause that Napoli are adamant needs to be triggered.
Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
Derick Kinoti
Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!
