‘Stay away from Man United’ – Osimhen receives Arsenal, Barcelona transfer advice

Former Super Eagles striker Peter Osaze Odemwingie has delivered a strong and clear warning to his compatriot Victor Osimhen amid growing transfer speculation across Europe’s top clubs, Afrik-Foot reports.

Despite only joining Galatasaray on a permanent deal last summer, Osimhen is again back in the rumour mills with the biggest clubs in Europe circling.

The Nigeria international has been linked with several elite sides, including Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, and Barcelona.

However, former West Brom and Stoke City star Odemwingie believes one of those options could do more harm than good to the former Napoli ace.

Speaking about the striker’s next move, the former Lille forward warned that Old Trafford may not be the right environment for a player at Osimhen’s level.

“I didn’t particularly mention Manchester United because the problem there is huge. The pressure on forward players is immense. He should stay away from there,” Odemwingie said as per Haberler.

He went further to explain that strikers at Manchester United often face intense scrutiny, especially when results do not go well. According to him, the club’s size and expectations can quickly turn players into targets for criticism. He pointed to the experience of Romelu Lukaku as a warning sign, noting how even top-level forwards can struggle under that spotlight.

Odemwingie also described the current situation at the club as full of ‘wahala’, a word commonly used in Nigeria to describe problems or instability.

In his view, both Manchester United and Chelsea are still trying to find stability after difficult seasons, making them risky destinations for a high-profile striker.

He said: “He should definitely stay away from Manchester United. The problems there are very deep, and the pressure on forwards is incredible. As we have seen with Romelu Lukaku and many other forwards, because the club is so big and constantly expects results, they will immediately declare a ‘scapegoat’ at the slightest failure.”

Osimhen ideal destinations: Arsenal, Barcelona, Real Madrid

Instead of Old Trafford, Odemwingie believes Osimhen should aim for more stable and structured clubs where his qualities can shine. He highlighted Arsenal, Barcelona, and Real Madrid as ideal destinations.

Explaining his choices, he said: “Arsenal is my priority because it’s my dad’s team, but system-wise it is also a very suitable and established club for Osimhen.

“Barcelona is always a top-tier option. It’s a great stop for a player who loves to play with the ball and makes the right runs. Real Madrid’s wide pitch is a perfect fit for Osimhen’s speed and athleticism. With his dominance in the air and pace, he could make a big difference there.”

Odemwingie also stressed that Osimhen must be careful with his next step, especially as the 27-year-old forward is currently in the peak years of his career.

“Osimhen is a strong player whose motivation never drops,” Odemwingie added. “During this golden age of his career, he should pursue his own dreams, not those of others, and reach the goal he wants.”

Over the past five years, Osimhen has grown from a promising young striker into one of the most feared forwards in world football.

His achievements include leading Napoli to the 2022–23 Serie A title, their first in 33 years, and winning the league’s Golden Boot with 26 goals. He became the first African to achieve that feat and later claimed the African Footballer of the Year award.