Victor Osimhen: 5 things Premier League die-hard fans need to know about Nigerian star

Victor Osimhen has been linked with a transfer to all of the wealthiest clubs in Europe since his excellent spell at Napoli, Afrik-Foot reports. 

Premier League giants Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham and Newcastle have at different times been credited with interest in the Nigeria international, while clubs from Saudi Arabia have also tried to sign him. Despite the interest from the Middle East, Osimhen has made it clear that playing in the Premier League is a big career ambition. 

After enjoying another remarkable campaign with Turkish champions Galatasaray, where he continued his impressive scoring record, the 27-year-old is once again at the centre of transfer speculation.

However, a move to England has not been straightforward. His transfer fee, reported to be around €150 million, combined with salary demands of more than €360,000 per week, have made clubs think carefully before making a final move.

There are supporters who have only watched highlights of the Super Eagles striker, but there is much more to Osimhen than just goals and assists. Here are five things every Premier League fan should know.

His Serie A scoring record stands alongside some of football’s greatest strikers

Before becoming a Galatasaray icon in Turkey, Osimhen built his reputation in Italy with Napoli. Between 2020 and 2024, he scored 65 goals in 108 Serie A matches, averaging 0.60 goals per game. Those numbers put him ahead of former Premier League stars Zlatan Ibrahimović and Romelu Lukaku in terms of goals-per-game in Italy. Among former Manchester United stars who also played in Italy, Only Cristiano Ronaldo recorded a better scoring rate during his time with Juventus.

Osimhen reached his peak in the 2022-23 season when he scored 26 league goals to win the Capocannoniere award as Serie A’s top scorer. More importantly, he helped Napoli win their first Scudetto in 33 years, ending the club’s long title wait since Diego Maradona inspired their first success. He also became the highest-scoring African player in Serie A history, overtaking legends like Samuel Eto’o and George Weah.  

He is one of Europe’s most dangerous one-touch finishers

Modern strikers are often expected to drop deep, create chances and link midfield with attack. Osimhen certainly works hard for his team, but his biggest strength remains inside the penalty area.

His movement between defenders is outstanding. He attacks crosses with explosive speed, times his runs perfectly and often needs only one touch to score. Whether the ball arrives from the wings, a cut-back or a quick counterattack, Osimhen’s first-time finishing is among the best in Europe.

His athletic ability also makes him a nightmare for defenders. Standing at 1.86 metres, he combines pace, strength and an incredible leap, allowing him to score plenty of headed goals despite constant marking. That combination explains why clubs looking for a traditional No. 9 continue to admire him.

The famous protective mask tells the story of his courage

One of Osimhen’s most recognisable features is the black protective face mask he wears during matches. The mask is not a fashion statement.

In November 2021, during a Serie A match against Inter Milan, Osimhen suffered a horrific collision with defender Milan Škriniar. The clash left him with multiple fractures to his face, including serious damage around his eye socket and cheekbone. Doctors inserted six plates and 18 screws during surgery to repair the injuries.

Although he fully recovered, Osimhen continued wearing the carbon-fibre mask for protection and confidence. Since then, it has become one of football’s most iconic images and a symbol of the striker’s fearless style. The injury could have changed his career, but instead it fueled his determination to return stronger.

Chelsea wanted him but money prevented the transfer

Chelsea have admired Osimhen for several transfer windows. The closest they came was during the summer of 2024, when negotiations reached an advanced stage. The biggest obstacle was the player’s wages and not the transfer fee.

Osimhen was earning around €11 million net per season at Napoli, while Chelsea’s proposal offered a much lower guaranteed salary, with additional bonuses based on performances and Champions League qualification.

Neither side could agree on a financial package early enough. Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel later explained that both parties eventually moved closer on salary during the final hours of deadline day. Unfortunately, there was not enough time left to complete contracts, medical examinations and paperwork before the transfer window closed.

With his relationship at Napoli already damaged after losing the club’s No. 9 shirt, Osimhen accepted a loan move to Galatasaray instead, where he quickly became fan favourite. 

That experience means Chelsea, and other Premier League clubs, may have to offer a much stronger financial package if they want to revive their interest.

His close relationship with Odion Ighalo shaped his career

Behind Osimhen’s rise is the guidance of former Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo. The pair developed a close friendship during Nigeria’s national team camps, particularly around the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

At the tournament, Ighalo finished as the competition’s top scorer, while Osimhen was still learning at international level. When the younger striker became frustrated by limited playing time, Ighalo encouraged him to stay patient, work harder and trust that his opportunity would come.

His advice proved correct. The relationship became even stronger away from football. Both players have roots in Edo State and understand the challenges of growing up through Lagos street football before reaching Europe. Osimhen has often visited Ighalo in Lagos during holidays, and the veteran striker has continued offering advice during every major transfer decision.

The first Nigeria international to play for Man United, Ighalo has repeatedly encouraged Osimhen to move to Old Trafford if the opportunity becomes available, believing the size and history of the club make it a dream destination for any footballer.