Victor Osimhen, the Nigerian star who dazzled in Italy’s Serie A last season, has caught the eye of Emmanuel Adebayor, the former Arsenal and Manchester City ace. Adebayor, who hails from Togo, praised Osimhen for his outstanding skills and qualities that make him a perfect fit for the Premier League.
Osimhen, who clinched the coveted continental award in December, is one of the most sought-after players in the transfer window. He scored 26 goals for Napoli in 2022-23, becoming the league’s top scorer and ending the club’s 33-year wait for the title.
The 25-year-old recently signed a new deal with Napoli until 2026, but that may not deter the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea, who are keen to secure his services.
“He has the mindset, the attitude and the drive to succeed there (in England),” Adebayor told BBC Sport Africa.
“I hope he makes the move to the Premier League and shows what he can do.”
Adebayor was part of a generation of African strikers who ruled the Premier League in the late 2000s, along with Didier Drogba and Yakubu. They played for some of the biggest clubs in the league and scored many memorable goals.
Since then, the number of African centre-forwards in the Premier League has dwindled, and even though Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, his former Liverpool colleague, are among the top scorers from the continent, they are not pure strikers.
Osimhen grew up admiring Drogba, the Ivory Coast legend, and has always dreamed of playing in the Premier League. He may have to wait a bit longer, as his contract extension and his participation in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast may keep the suitors at bay for now. But by the end of the season, many clubs will be vying for the Napoli sharpshooter.
Adebayor believes that Osimhen is ready to take on the challenge of the Premier League, the most competitive and best (league) in the world. He called Osimhen his “younger brother” and urged him to follow in the footsteps of his idol Drogba and make history in England.
“Osimhen has proven himself in Italy, I think it is the right time for him to move to England and emulate his idol Drogba and do wonderful things.
“He has everything he needs to carve a name and write a glorious chapter in England like Drogba.”
