Victor Osimhen is on the radar of Manchester United, but he previously rejected the prospect of moving to Old Trafford due to too much respect for one of their strikers
Victor Osimhen has previously rejected a move to Manchester United out of respect for one of his countrymen because he claimed that he had “too much respect” to fight him for a starting place.
That was far back in 2020, just before he came to Napoli. It was during his stint with Lille that Osimhen put himself on the map for the first time and his goalscoring -exploits made up a number of clubs and beware. United was among them, but the Italian side eventually won the race.
Osimhen's refusal to become a member of the Premier League side came from the fact that they then had Odion Ighalo in their books. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer raised eyebrows when he went and signed the former Watford -man to tackle the attacking problems of the team.
Ighalo had a clear start, but quickly finished and his record by the time he left Manchester, he stood at five goals in 23 games. That said, he was one of the senior Nigerian players of his generation and Osimhen had a lot of respect for the player who was his senior for nine years.
Napoli's frontman felt that he could not compete with his countryman for a starting spot, knowing that one of them would eventually lose, which motivated his move to Italy.
The brother of Osimhen, Andrew, told complete Sports: “It is very true that Manchester United Victor wanted, but he told me that something like he had too much respect for Odion Ighalo to compete for shirts with his senior colleague. My brother ighalo in High Asete -he just did not go with the High Trafford -top not the spartere -top -up -spared the spartere with the High Trafford -spared spared. Goalcorer in Egypt. “
Five years quickly ahead and Osimhen on the way to Manchester could still come out. Despite the firing of Napoli on the Serie A title A few years ago, the striker is now excess for requirements, while Antonio Conte remains at the helm.
He bought Romelu Lukaku and the Belgian supported his leading light in attack. It forced Osimhen to go on loan in the past term, but he remained productive in Galatasaray. Now back in Italy, he will probably be sold as soon as a buyer can be found.
Already this summer he has rejected a move to Saudi Arabia, which underlines his wish to stay in Europe and formerly Ster Rio Ferdinand is one of those who endorse a movement for the Nigerian.
He said: “I think if I look at the market now and I had to choose him (Viktor Gyokeres) or Osimhen, I would probably choose Osimhen because of that experience.”