“He’s old school” – Ex-Aston Villa captain questions Victor Osimhen Premier League snub

Former Aston Villa captain Nigel Reo-Coker has questioned the decision of Premier League clubs to pass on signing Victor Osimhen last summer despite his availability, Afrik-Foot reports.

​Osimhen has been exceptional during his two years at Galatasaray. So far, he has recorded 65 goals and 13 assists in 133 appearances, averaging nearly one goal involvement per game.

Last season, the Nigerian forward played a pivotal role in helping the Cimbom secure both the Turkish Süper Lig title and the Turkish Cup.

​This season, he remains the talisman for a Galatasaray side challenging for titles on all fronts. They currently lead the Süper Lig and remain in contention for the Turkish Cup.

Most notably, they recently secured qualification for the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, becoming the first Turkish club to reach that stage in 12 years.

Osimhen was instrumental in this, scoring in a 3-2 second-leg loss at the Allianz Stadium after a dominant 5-2 victory in the first leg. Following Wednesday’s qualification, the Super Eagles star received plaudits from several football icons, including Reo-Coker.

​Nigel Reo-Coker Critiques Victor Osimhen’s Premier League Snub

​After Galatasaray progressed in the Champions League, Reo-Coker—who represented England but is of Nigerian descent—expressed his surprise that no Premier League side secured Osimhen’s services during the last transfer window.

​”I look more so at the attributes he has. I mean, he’s doing what I expected him to do,” Reo-Coker stated on CBS Sports Golazo.

“I think the question was the surprise of how maybe a Premier League side didn’t go in for him. It’s more the question, ‘Why didn’t someone go for him? What’s wrong with him?’ Is it representation? Is it all these different questions?”

​Reo-Coker emphasized that Osimhen possesses a unique profile that would improve any English top-flight team.

“For me, the attributes that he has are strong enough where I feel he can be very impactful for any Premier League team he joins. They don’t make strikers like him,” he added.

“If he’s not scoring goals, he will be creating and making something happen for teammates around him. I don’t think people give him enough credit for the hard work he does off the ball. We’ve watched both legs where I’ve seen him sprint from the edge of an opponent’s box all the way back to his own to help his team defensively.”

​The former midfielder pointed to Osimhen’s early yellow card against Juventus for a tackle on Weston McKennie as evidence of his defensive commitment.

“For me, his stock is high. I would go in for him. I think he’s one of very few natural, old-school number nines left in the game,” Reo-Coker concluded.

​Last summer, Osimhen was linked with Chelsea, Manchester United, and Arsenal, yet no official bids materialized.

The 27-year-old is currently under contract at Galatasaray until 2029. While recent rumors have linked him to Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, it is estimated that any interested club would need at least €140 million to lure him away from the Turkish giants.