Former Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo has urged Victor Osimhen to take advantage of the financial incentives in the Saudi Pro League, advising the Napoli star to secure a lucrative deal now and consider returning to European football later.
Osimhen’s future has become a major talking point, especially after Napoli reportedly rejected a €75 million bid from Turkish champions Galatasaray. The Nigerian forward remains in top form, having scored 37 goals in 41 games during a successful loan spell.
But while top European clubs circle and transfer talks continue to drag, Ighalo believes the 26-year-old should consider the long-term financial benefit of a short-term move to Saudi Arabia.
“My advice to Victor Osimhen is to go to Saudi Arabia for two years to make money. Then he can come back to Europe,” Ighalo said during an interview with Echo Room.
Ighalo, who himself moved to the Chinese Super League before earning a high-profile return to Manchester United at 30, pointed out that Osimhen still has time on his side.
“I went to China for three years, then returned to play for Manchester United. All odds were against me at the time — I was 30 years old.
Victor Osimhen is 26. In two years, he’ll be 28. He can still play in Europe for another five years if he wants.”
The comments imply a rising trend among top players who are opting for financial security in the Middle East before rejoining elite-level European football. Osimhen, however, has remained silent on his next destination, as clubs across Europe and beyond continue to weigh up their bids.
[…] A champions Napoli have maintained that Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen will only be allowed to leave for €75 million, despite the expiration of his release clause […]