Victor Osimhen turned down a move to Manchester United in 2020 because he had “too much respect” for one of the club’s first-team players.
The 25-year-old striker, who became the most expensive African player ever in the summer of 2020, when he joined Napoli from Ligue 1 side Lille, has been linked with Manchester United again in recent days.
In fact, the bosses at Old Trafford have identified Osimhen as a potential replacement for Marcus Rashford. Sky Sports Switzerland, reports in the morning hours today that the club is already in contact with the striker’s people.
They write: “Already in contact with his representative, Manchester United will have no problem reaching an agreement on personal terms with the 25-year-old Nigerian.”
Osimhen could ‘finally realise his dream’ of joining Manchester United, the situation is different from four years ago when the striker decided not to sign for United.
After scoring 18 goals in 38 games during the 2019/20 season, Osimhen was wanted by a number of clubs in Europe, including United.
Victor’s brother, Andrew claims that he rejected the move due to compatriot Odion Ighalo’s presence at Old Trafford.
“It’s very true that Manchester United wanted Victor, but he told me something like he had too much respect for Odion Ighalo to compete for shirts with his senior colleague,” Andrew Osimhen told Complete Sports.
“My brother really appreciates Ighalo and he simply didn’t see himself going to Old Trafford to fight for a striking role with the highest goalscorer at the 2019 AFCON in Egypt.”
Ighalo completed his dream move to Manchester United in January 2020 on a season-long loan from Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shenhua, and later extended his deal with United until January 2021.
Osimhen, meanwhile, joined Napoli in a transfer worth £74 million.
Back in April 2020, Osimhen refused to rule out a move to the Premier League in the future, admitting that he wants “to play for a big club in England one day”. The Nigerian striker also thanked Ighalo for his career advice.
“Of course, one day I would like to play for a big club in England.” he told The Independent in 2020. “I’ve talked to Odion [Ighalo] about it. He gave me very good advice, he is a legend and a big brother. My goal is to play in one of the biggest clubs in the world. “
