- Mikel Obi has publicly urged Osimhen to reject any fresh offers from the Saudi Pro League and instead choose Chelsea for legacy over luxury.
- Notably, Osimhen has scored 28 goals in 32 appearances this season for Galatasaray.
- Mikel warned that Saudi Arabia’s wealth will always be tempting but stressed that Osimhen should aim to conquer Europe before cashing out.
Former Chelsea stalwart John Mikel Obi has once again voiced his desire to see Victor Osimhen in Chelsea blue, urging the prolific striker to resist the lure of Saudi riches and focus on building a lasting legacy in Europe.
Speaking on his Obi One Podcast, Mikel revealed he had privately urged Osimhen last summer to snub overtures from the Saudi Pro League and join Chelsea instead.
The Blues were in talks with Napoli late in the transfer window but failed to reach a deal for the Nigerian striker. Osimhen, now 26, has since found form on loan at Galatasaray, where he has netted 28 goals in 32 appearances this season,
“I told the kid, ‘Don’t go’, Saudi is always going to be there. They don’t have the World Cup until 2034 and they’ll still be spending then,” Mikel said, recalling their summer conversation.
Mikel insisted that Osimhen should spend at least three or four more years in European football before considering a move to the Middle East,
“Come here, come to us, you can’t keep putting it off; at some point, your head is going to get turned,” he urged.
Osimhen’s decision last summer to ignore Saudi interest appears to have paid off, with the striker currently enjoying a red-hot season in Turkey. However, the threat of another big-money approach looms large, especially as Chelsea continues to search for a new striker.
According to Sky Sports, the Blues have compiled a five-man shortlist that includes Osimhen alongside younger options such as Liam Delap, Benjamin Sesko, Hugo Ekitike, and Jonathan David, reflecting their ongoing focus on youth-driven recruitment.
Delap, currently at Ipswich, could be a cheaper option with a £30 million release clause— less than half of Osimhen’s £65 million price tag.
Despite the financial burden, Mikel believes Osimhen is worth every penny and could become Chelsea’s focal point for years. Whether the London club will make another push this summer remains to be seen.
Osimhen, other Nigerian stars in contention for top honours at Nigeria Pitch Awards
Previously, TheRadar reported that on-loan Napoli forward, Victor Osimhen was in contention for the annual Nigeria Pitch Awards
The event has been scheduled to take place on March 25, immediately after the Super Eagles' crucial World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe. The event organisers confirmed that the prestigious award ceremony would be hosted at the Four Points by Sheraton in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, marking the 11th edition of the highly respected football awards.
