Lille hotshot Victor Osimhen reveals he rejected a move to Arsenal after speaking to Arsene Wenger… and has been taking advice from Manchester United’s Odion Ighalo as he targets a Premier League move
- Victor Osimhen was wanted by Arsenal after the 2015 FIFA Under 17 World Cup
- The Nigerian finished that tournament as the top scorer which his country won
- However, the striker decided to join Wolfsburg instead in order to develop
- Now 21, Osimhen is enjoying a brilliant debut campaign at French side Lille
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There were a raft of footballers who turned down the opportunity to join Arsenal during the Arsene Wenger years, and according to Lille’s rising star Victor Osimhen he was one of those.
Osimhen is enjoying a brilliant debut campaign at the Ligue 1 outfit having scored 18 goals in 38 games in all competitions so far before the season was halted indefinitely due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The 21-year-old first came to Europe in January 2016 when he joined Wolfsburg off the back of an impressive Under 17 World Cup. Osimhen was the top scorer as Nigeria clinched a fifth Under-17 World Cup title in 2015 with 10 goals in Chile, which saw him win the Golden Boot and Silver Ball – the latter awarded to the second best player of the tournament.
Victor Osimhen has revealed that he turned down the opportunity to sign for Arsenal in 2016
Then-Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger spoke with Osimhen but decided against a move there
The Nigeria international’s displays there attracted a host of clubs, including Arsenal but Osimhen says he felt a move to Germany was better for his development despite the attempts of Wenger.
‘I spoke with Arsene Wenger after the tournament ended and he wanted me to come to Arsenal,’ he told the Independent. ‘I had a lot of options. Barcelona, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Juventus and the rest.’
‘Arsenal was a good option but it wasn’t the best at the time. I wanted to start playing as soon as I turned 18.
‘I wanted to go to a place where I had time to invest in my game and improve physically. Wolfsburg showed me that possibility.’
Osimhen caught the eye at the Under 17 World Cup in 2015 – finishing as top scorer with 10
Despite rejecting Arsenal’s advances three years ago, Osimhen still harbours an ambition to play in the Premier League.
The forward has revealed that he speaks to international team-mate, and on-loan Manchester United striker, Odion Ighalo about life in England’s top flight too.
‘Of course, one day I’d like to play for a big club in England,’ he continued.
‘I’ve spoken to Odion [Ighalo] about it. He gave me very good advice, he’s a legend and a big brother. My goal is to play at one of the biggest clubs in the world but now I’m very happy in Lille.
‘My priority is to play a lot of games. Signing for a big club and being on the bench is not exciting for me.’
Osimhen says he speaks to Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo about the Premier League
