Napoli striker Victor Osimhen says he’s still learning from Didier Drogba to become an all-rounded striker despite his hot streak last season that guided Napoli to win the Serie A title.

The Nigeria forward scored 31 goals in all competitions last season to end three decades of title wait and Saudi Arabian clubs queued for his signature but he eventually stayed in Italy.

Osimhen finished last season as the fifth-highest scorer in Europe, which also attracted interest from Premier League clubs Manchester United and Chelsea.

He described former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba as one of his football idols, reflecting on a message he sent him last season that helped provide “double motivation”.

“I am still learning and watching a lot of Drogba’s highlights as well as some other amazing strikers,” the 24-year-old said as reported by the BBC.

“Last season he texted me on Instagram. When it is someone you like and idolise so much, and when you see Didier Drogba with the verified page – at first I went on to his page to see if it was the real one.

“I took a screenshot of it a few times and then replied. The message was inspiring and encouraging to me.

“That he is watching and rooting for me, I got motivation. Then getting your idol to text you motivation, is a huge one for me also. It is like double motivation.”

He says the decision to stay in Napoli was “good for his career”.

“The more I said no to them, the more they increased it,” Osimhen said.

“That week was a huge decision for me to make but I put everything in God’s hands.

“It was literally like ‘Wow, this is surreal’. I spoke with the people in charge and spoke about it with the club.”