Former Super Eagles’ captain and head coach, Sunday Ogorchukwu Oliseh has raised a note of concern over the future transfer prospects of Nigerian hitman, Victor Osimhen.
Sports247 gathered that Oliseh is worried about Osimhen’s inability to hook a deal with any top European club, and opined that the lad had to settle for a full contract at Galatasaray of Turkey only because top teams in the English Premier League did not want him.
While acknowledging that Osimhen was phenomenal with Galatasaray during his spell with them last season (on loan from SSC Napoli of Italy), Oliseh wondered if the in-form striker would still be able to create a buzz in the transfer market three years from now.
Making his thoughts known in an online video that has since gone viral, the outspoken Oliseh, who played for top clubs like Ajax Amsterdam of Netherlands, Juventus of Italy and FC Cologne of Germany during his heyday, confessed that he was sad when Osimhen could not move to Chelsea, Manchester United or Arsenal of England.
Oliseh pointed out, “When it comes to Victor Osimhen’s transfer to Galatasaray, it is sad to say, but I feel he went there because the top Premier League clubs did not want him.
“If they wanted him, they would have made that investment … because he made it clear that he wanted to go there.”
‘The Passmaster’ noted further that it is more so worrisome that even the efforts of celebrated EPL icons like Didier Drogba and John Mikel Obi could not get Osimhen a deal at their former club, Chelsea or any other top team across Europe’s big five leagues – England, Spain, France, Italy, Germany.
He noted further, “Even Drogba solicited for him, and John Obi Mikel also tried to talk him into it; but these clubs did not go for him.
“That means they did not want him. That does not mean they won’t want him in the future, but a lot depends on him. ”
Oliseh concluded on a terse note, as he inferred that any loss of form and ageing could have diminishing returns on Osimhen, thereby affecting his market value in the transfer window within a couple of years to come.
“It’s kind of like sad, but I’m very much afraid that we are seeing the beginning of the end for this player as regards playing at the top and at that high level.
“If these clubs do not buy you now, what will make them want to buy you in two, three years to come?
“Last year, he scored 37 goals in 41 games. It was extraordinary …. yet they did not buy him. When you had Manchester United and Arsenal in desperation as regards a point striker. This makes one wonder,” Oliseh pointed out ominously.
