Nigeria manager gives verdict on Victor Osimhen transfer amid Man Utd links, ‘he needs to be…’

Nigeria manager Eric Chelle is trying to protect Victor Osimhen ahead of a busy transfer window for the striker after helping fire Galatasaray to the Turkish title.

Manchester United are wasting no time getting deals done this summer.

In an ideal world, United will have most of their business done before the pre-season tour of the United States.

Matheus Cunha has joined from Wolves as United’s first signing of the summer. Now, reports suggest Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo could follow him to Old Trafford.

Ruben Amorim wants to address the problems that existed for United in front of goal last season. Rasmus Hojlund failed to deliver, and it’s still early days for United Academy graduate Chido Obi, who has shown great promise in the first team.

That means there is room for a new centre-forward to join United ahead of the 2025/26 season, with United already missing out on a deal to sign Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap.

Eric Chelle has his say on Victor Osimhen’s future

Nigeria boss Eric Chelle expects top European clubs to show interest in Victor Osimhen after the striker continued his goalscoring exploits in Turkey last term.

The 26-year-old is set to return to Napoli after spending the past season on loan at Galatasaray, scoring 37 goals in 41 matches and winning the Super Lig title with the Istanbul giants.

With one year remaining on his contract at Napoli, Osimhen is expected to depart the club because he is not part of Antonio Conte’s plans after the Italian led the team to the Serie A title.

Osimhen will be involved in Nigeria’s friendly against Russia on Friday. His manager namechecked United when asked about the striker’s uncertain future.

“Victor is, for me, the best striker in the world,” Chelle told BBC Sport Africa.

“For him it is difficult to come for this game because he played a season with a lot of pressure.

“The reality is there is a transfer window. During this time, a player like him is not focused at 100%.

“I need to protect him physically and mentally, because maybe he will go [and get a transfer move].

“Maybe a club like Manchester United. Or maybe Chelsea, Barcelona or Real Madrid. So he needs to be focused on that.”

Interestingly, Chelle doesn’t mention a move to Saudi Arabia, which has been tipped for Osimhen.

Osimhen hailed for his competitiveness

Victor Osimhen is Nigeria’s second-highest international scorer of all time, with 26 goals.

Osimhen is 11 goals away from Rashidi Yekini’s record of 37 goals for Nigeria, but he won the Under-17 World Cup with his country in 2015 and they now have hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

Chelle says he has “never seen a competitor” like Osimhen.

“He wants to win everything during training. It’s crazy,” Chelle added.

“When the training session finishes he wants to stay on the pitch and score again and again.

“I think maybe even when he sleeps he wants to score too.”