Nigerian wonder striker Victor Osimhen may end up remaining at French Ligue 1 side Lille this summer if things are not brought in check. He is one of the most sought after youngster across Europe but the asking price of his current club might scare his suitors away.
The 21-year-old Nigeria international joined Lille in 2019 from Charleroi for about 12 million Euros. As at November 2019, Osimhen‘s market value was placed at about 27 million Euros. But after scoring 13 goals and making about 5 assists in 27 matches, Lille wants clubs to pay at least 50 million Euros to get his signature.
The first club this demand scared away was Italian Serie A club Napoli that had reportedly agreed personal terms with Victor Osimhen before Lille brought up the 50 million Euros buy out clause to the table. The argument of Napoli was that why would Lille buys a player for just 12 million Euros and in less than a season, the club would want to sell the player for 50 million Euros.
This argument can not stand in the real sense of it because it is business. Recall that Jadon Sancho left Manchester City when he was 17-year-old to Borussia Dortmund on an almost free transfer. Two years after, Sancho is wanted in Manchester United and other Premier League clubs; his asking price is a whopping £100 million.
The statistical difference between Sancho and Osimhen is not that wide. Besides, Sancho plays in a more compact team that can help him statistically than Osimhen. But Osimhen increase in value has begun to look like a big hindrance for his potential move this season.
Recall, early this year, a rumour went viral that a club had bid £75 million to sign Osimhen. The bid was linked to Chelsea football club but the coach of the side, Frank Lampard debunked the rumour. He didn’t only debunk the rumour, he said though Osimhen is a complete player, £75 million is on a high side for his signature. He, however, added that he would like to have the Nigerian at Chelsea.
Besides the aspect of money, Victor Osimhen is a player who does not want to stay on the bench at any club. This is another challenge that may force him to remain at Lille where he has been enjoying first-team football all season long.
Jose Mourinho wants the fast-paced striker at Tottenham but Victor Osimhen’s agent, Ariyo Igbayilola, has insisted that the talented striker would not join Tottenham Hotspur if their main striker Harry Kane is still at the club.
“We told Mourinho that if he wants Victor, will Harry Kane be leaving?,” Ariyo told The Cable. “If Harry Kane still play for Tottenham will Victor play? Because he will always be benched for him. Kane is their number one striker and he is the captain of England, all these will always work for him in the club but at Victor’s detriment.
“He needs a club where he will always play full game week in, week out. Not to be kept on the bench.”
So, it will be interesting to see the club Victor Osimhen finally decides to settle with because it is 80% certain that he might not remain at Lille until next season. Since he has a long list of suitors to choose from, the fear of his fans is that he should not make the wrong move.
