Super Eagles and Lille striker, Victor Osimhen has revealed he rejected a move to England to play for Arsenal after speaking with the club’s former coach, Arsene Wenger.
The 21-year-old inform striker first came to Europe in January 2016 when he joined Wolfsburg following his impressive Under 17 World Cup performances.
At the Under 17 World Cup, Osimhen helped Nigeria clinched a fifth Under-17 World Cup title in 2015 and was the top scorer with 10 goals. He won the Golden Boot as well as Silver Ball and was awarded to the second-best player of the tournament.
The rising star has now disclosed that he had several clubs including Arsenal coming for him after the Under-17 World Cup in Chile.
According to him, he rejected Arsenal after speaking with Wenger and decided to move to Germany because it was better for his development.
‘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.’
Despite rejecting a move to Arsenal three years ago, Osimhen still wants to play in the Premier League.
He further went on to reveal that he has been speaking to fellow Nigerian footballer and on-loan Manchester United striker, Odion Ighalo about life in England.
‘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.’
Victor Osimhen currently plays in France with Ligue 1 outfit Lille. Since signing for the French club, he has scored 18 goals in 38 games in all competitions before the season was suspended due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
