Nigeria and Al-Wehda striker, Odion Jude Ighalo, has weighed in on the future of Super Eagles forward, Victor James Osimhen, amidst interest from the Saudi Pro League, Soccernet.ng reports.
Ighalo was one of the pioneers of forwards leaving Europe to Asia to help boost the league’s image before the likes of Ahmed Musa, Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, Neymar, and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic followed suit.
Osimhen is a wanted forward in Europe and beyond, and has been linked with many of Europe’s biggest clubs, including Manchester United and even Premier League winners, Liverpool, who were recently reported to have offered Napoli two players in part exchange.
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“Osimhen is a grown man, he has worked hard, he knows what he wants and whatever decision he makes will be win win for him” – Odion Ighalo on Victor Osiimhen’s club future.pic.twitter.com/WOveLXLJNw
— Latifat Adebayo-Ohio (@Phatill) June 25, 2025
Ighalo regards Osimhen as a younger brother, and admitted one of the reasons the Napoli forward is yet to get a big move is because his compatriots don’t value him as much.
“For me, in the world today, you can’t mention two strikers without his name. It’s impossible. He’s doing so well,” the former Watford striker said in an interview with News Central.
“We (Nigerians) underrate our own, and that’s the same across Africa. We underrate African players and potential, but if you search the world now for a proper goalscorer, tell me two or three, you’ll mention him (Osimhen).”
“I think Victor is mentally strong, because he’s 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 grown, he’s worked hard, and if he calls me for a word, I’ll speak from my opinion, but any decision he makes, it’s a win-win for him.
“If he goes to Saudi now, if he doesn’t go until two years later, it doesn’t matter, because last year they came, he didn’t go, they came this year, he’s declined, they’ll still come again,” Ighalo concluded.
Osimhen left Napoli last September, moving to Galatasaray on a season-long loan. In his time at the Turkish capital, he won the League’s Golden Boot, the league title and the league cup trophy.
Although Okan Buruk’s side want to keep him permanently, his wages prove to be a hurdle, especially with Al-Hilal said to be ready to offer him a €40m annual salary.
Osimhen has rejected Al-Hilal twice, but the Riyadh outfit are hopeful of changing his mind with a revised offer, according to Corriere dello Sport.