Retired Super Eagles captain, John Mikel Obi, has revealed Victor Osimhen’s stance on his future as a summer move beckons, Soccernet.ng reports.
Osimhen was linked with a move to Chelsea last summer and tried to force a move, but it landed him in hot water with Napoli. He eventually joined Galatasaray on a season-long loan.
Despite joining the Turkish side, the 25-year-old forward has scored 19 goals and provided five assists in 24 games for Okan Buruk’s team, across all competitions.
Mikel, who has a close rapport with Osimhen, visited the 2023 CAF Player of the Year winner in Istanbul, trying to convince the striker to move to the Stamford Bridge when the summer transfer window opens.
“It’s always good to see these guys and see how they’re getting on. Of course, Victor has moved to Galatasaray, and he’s banging in goals, doing what he knows how to do best. So, it’s nice to see how he’s settling him, and I’m still trying to get him to try to come to the club. I’m trying to press my buttons and see if we can get things done, hopefully, we never know,” the 2012 UEFA Champions League winner said on the Obi One Podcast.
Alvaro Morata joined Galatasaray during the January transfer window. The Spanish forward had a stint with Chelsea, but it didn’t turn out well for the EURO 2024 winner.
The Blues splashed £60m to secure Morata’s services from Real Madrid in the summer of 2017, but he ended up scoring 24 goals and providing six assists in 72 games across all competitions.
Now teammates with Osimhen, Mikel is rest assured Morata’s poor spell in London will not affect Osimhen’s decision this summer.
“It didn’t go well for Morata at the club, but I’m sure Victor is a smart guy and he knows what’s good for him. Chelsea has always been his club, his childhood club and he’s come out openly to say he wants to play for them.
“His idol is Didier Drogba, he plays like him, they play the same positions and he loves the way he plays. It’s pretty clear he wants Chelsea, but unfortunately, we couldn’t get the deal done in the summer. I don’t think the door is shut completely, but let’s wait and see what happens when the transfer window opens this summer,” the 2013 AFCON winner concluded.
Chelsea are looking to let Christopher Nkunku off their books when the summer transfer window opens, as they look to bring in a high-profile striker in their bid to challenge for titles next season.
Adefolahan Guerreiro
