Ighalo Stands By Osimhen Amid Criticism Over Transfer Saga

Former Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo has come to the defense of fellow Nigerian footballer Victor Osimhen, who has faced criticism after a failed transfer.

Osimhen, 25, born in Lagos on December 29, 1998, was at the center of a transfer saga involving two major clubs: Saudi Pro League’s Al-Hilal and England’s Chelsea.

Despite the strong interest from both teams, the transfer did not go through before the deadline. As a result, Osimhen was left out of Napoli’s squad for the 2024-25 Serie A season.

Ighalo expressed his disappointment at the harsh comments some Nigerians made about Osimhen. He said, “No one is perfect, and we all make mistakes, but seeing negative remarks from his own people really saddens me, especially when they don’t know the full story.” Ighalo also mentioned that he had spoken to Osimhen and could hear the pain in his voice, showing how deeply the situation had affected the young player.

Osimhen, who grew up admiring Didier Drogba, faced a tough situation as he tried to navigate the transfer market. Reports from Sky Sport Italia revealed that a deal with Al-Ahli collapsed due to disagreements over fees. At the same time, Osimhen was unhappy with the personal terms offered by Chelsea, which left him stuck without a move from Napoli.

Despite these challenges, Ighalo remains hopeful for Osimhen’s future. He stated, “This young man plays with heart and dedication for his country. It’s tough, but he will come back stronger. We learn and grow every day.”

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