Former Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo has encouraged Victor Osimhen to strongly consider a transfer move to the Saudi Pro League this summer.
Osimhen is widely considered to be among the most complete centre-forwards in world football, but the attacker’s future has been up in the air since his season-long loan spell with Galatasaray came to an end.
Though Osimhen still has 12 months remaining on his contract at Napoli, the 26-year-old – who has a £64million release clause – is expected to depart the Serie A champions on a permanent basis ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
The likes of United and Arsenal have been heavily linked with Osimhen as they scour the market for attacking reinforcements to boost their squads in preparation for the new season.
But the Premier League duo are not alone with their interest, with Al-Hilal making Osimhen a ‘crazy’ contract offer having had an initial proposal turned down by the Nigeria international.
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The mega-rich Saudi outfit also made an unsuccessful bid to sign Osimhen before he joined Galatasaray last September.
Given Osimhen would be in line to make £34m-per-year year, and close to £140m over a four-year span, he has the chance to become one of the highest-paid footballers in history.
‘It’s not easy because agents are calling every day, people talk in the media,’ ex-United and Nigeria forward Ighalo told News Central TV of the incessant speculation surrounding his fellow countryman this summer.
‘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, it was just for us to have fun.
‘But I believe he knows what he wants. He’s a grown-up guy now so he has worked hard to be where he is today.
‘If he calls me for my opinion, I would tell him. But I think he has done well and whatever decision he makes, it’s a win-win for him.’
Having experienced the Saudi Pro League himself, Ighalo would strongly urge Osimhen to give the lucrative offer from Al-Hilal some serious thought.
‘If he asked me, of course, I would say go,’ Ighalo, who played for Al-Shabab, Al-Hilal and Al-Wehda after leaving Old Trafford, added.
‘Whatever decision is a win-win for him. If he goes now, if he doesn’t go now and he goes after two years, it’s still the same.
‘It does not matter because last year they came and he did not go.
‘They came back this year and they will still come again.’
According to Ighalo, it’s ‘impossible’ to have a conversation about the best strikers in the game without mentioning Osimhen.
‘For me, in the world today, you can’t mention strikers without his name. It’s impossible,’ he continued.
‘We underrate our own, that is the problem in Africa. We underrate our own African players and their potential.
‘But if you want to search the world now for a proper goalscorer, tell me two or three. He’s a true number nine, a centre-forward, a goalscorer.’
Osimhen’s namesake, Viktor Gyokeres, has also been linked with the Red Devils this summer on the back of two prolific seasons in front of goal for Sporting.
But Gyokeres has reportedly rejected United in favour of a switch to Arsenal and Gary Pallister believes his former club should turn their attentions to ‘ideal signing’ Alexander Isak.
‘He’s the player that is proven in the Premier League,’ the former United centre-back told Metro on behalf of Gamble Online.
‘Listen I’m sure he’s got teams in better state than United at the moment who would be in to sign him and Liverpool have reportedly declared interest in him so why wouldn’t you go there when they’ve been as successful as they have been?
‘But Isak would be the ideal Man United signing for me. I think it so important that you’re proven in the Premier League because it’s different to all the other leagues out there.
‘If you’ve got a player who’s been there and done it, he would be the man for me. Manchester United definitely need a goalscorer.
‘Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee both struggled last year. I don’t think Zirkzee is an out and out number nine. There’s a few clubs struggling for that centre forward.’
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