Premier League giants Manchester United, Chelsea, and Arsenal have reportedly withdrawn their pursuit of Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen not due to his goal-scoring record, but over concerns about his character and financial demands. Transfer experts David Ornstein and Fabrizio Romano cite two main barriers exorbitant wage expectations (around €12 million net per year) and perceived attitude issues.
Despite blazing form with 30 goals for Galatasaray last season while on loan from Napoli—Osimhen’s salary demands would inflate his gross earnings above €300,000 per week under UK tax rules, which many clubs deem unsustainable.
Character concerns have also played a role. Public disagreements with former Super Eagles coach Finidi George, disputes with Napoli manager Luciano Spalletti, and warnings from former professionals like Peter Ijeh and Taribo West suggest top clubs view him as a potential dressing-room risk.
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Editorial
This situation underscores a broader reality in modern football: elite clubs don’t just assess goals—they assess professionalism, reputation, and reliability.
Yes, Osimhen is arguably among the world’s most potent strikers—a hybrid of power, pace, and finishing. And yet the biggest clubs hesitate. They fear his income and reputation may conflict with team dynamics and Financial Fair Play considerations.
Football’s top echelons demand not only measurable talent, but also emotional maturity and cultural compatibility. When players are seen as unpredictable or difficult to manage even implicitly clubs often shift focus elsewhere, regardless of on-field output.
Osimhen is still in his prime, and his ambition to play at the highest level appears undiminished. Yet to satisfy clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea or United, he may need to temper demands and reframe perception not just for money, but for trust.
His story is a reminder that character matters. Technical brilliance alone no longer guarantees big moves. The most successful careers are built at the intersection of talent, discipline, humility and alignment with club vision. Osimhen’s next chapter may well depend less on goals, and more on growth.
Did You Know?
- Clubs abandoned Osimhen’s pursuit mainly because of a €12 million net annual salary demand, which is roughly £300,000 gross per week in England far out of reach for most.
- Former Eagles manager Finidi George was publicly criticised by Osimhen, sparking concerns about team harmony, which top club executives reportedly heed.
- EPL pundit Darren Bent advised Arsenal to tread carefully, citing concerns about Osimhen’s consistency and attitude.
- Former coach Peter Ijeh remarked: “Your ability can open doors but character will close them,” highlighting Osimhen’s international profile as a source of worry.
- Ex-England striker Gary Lineker once called Osimhen “as talented on the pitch as he is kind off it,” yet clubs’ actions suggest words don’t always translate to trust.
