Former Arsenal star, Emmanuel Adebayor has insisted that Victor Osimhen is capable of taking the Premier League by storm and has urged him to make the move to England.
Osimhen was recently crowned African Footballer of the Year for 2023 following his exploits in Italy with Napoli, whom he helped win a first Serie A title in 33 years last season.
The Nigeria international plundered 26 goals in 2022-23 to become the first African to finish as top scorer in the league, while he has found the back of the net seven times in 13 appearances for the Partenopei this term.
Osimhen was handed a new contract at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in December which runs until 2026, although it is unlikely to dissuade English clubs from acquiring his prized signature.
Adebayor – who played for the Gunners, Manchester City, Tottenham and Crystal Palace during a 10-year spell in England – believes the 25-year-old striker has all the attributes to shine in the Premier League, much like his idol Didier Drogba.
“He has the right attitude, mentality and determination to excel there (in England),” the former Togo international told BBC Sport Africa. “I’m praying for him to move to the Premier League and show what he’s capable of. The Premier League is the toughest and best [league] in the world.
“Osimhen has shown and done it already in Italy, I think it is the right time for him to move to England and replace his idol Drogba and do beautiful things.
“He has all it takes to make a name and write a great chapter in England like Drogba.”
Meanwhile, Chelsea are reportedly in position to sign Osimhen from Napoli, with a cleverly structured deal that would see the Nigerian move to the Premier League for over £100 million.
That’s according to incredible reports yesterday , claiming that Osimhen has given his nod to the Blues over the move. The striker is currently preparing for the Africa Cup of Nations – and even recently signed a new deal with employers Napoli, with a release clause of £112m.
But that new contract could well have been nothing more than insurance for the Scudetto holders, with the biggest clubs in Europe all competing for Osimhen’s signature.
According to TEAMtalk, citing sources in Italy, the hitman has agreed on terms with Chelsea over a move, which should happen in the summer.
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
