Osimhen will play in EPL next season — Ekong
Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong is confident that Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen will be playing in the English Premier League next season despite widespread interest from clubs across Europe, NewsNGR Sports Extra reports.
Speaking to TalkSport, Troost-Ekong revealed his expectations for his international teammate’s future while discussing the striker’s options.
“I couldn’t see him playing there for another season, or anywhere else but the Premier League next season,” Ekong said of the 26-year-old forward currently on loan at Turkish giants Galatasaray from Napoli.
Osimhen has been in sensational form in Turkey, netting 20 goals and providing four assists in 22 Super Lig matches since joining the club on loan.
His performances have attracted interest from several Premier League clubs, with Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United all previously linked with the Nigeria international.
Troost-Ekong confirmed Osimhen’s Premier League ambitions while highlighting the striker’s well-known affinity for one English club in particular.
“I know he’s a Chelsea fan, but I also know he’s had talks with all the top teams. It’s up to him what he chooses. He will fit into every team,” he said.
“I know Liverpool have spoken about getting a new striker next season. We will see.”
While Osimhen’s future remains the subject of intense speculation, Galatasaray are reportedly preparing to make his loan move permanent. According to reports, the Turkish club are set to trigger the striker’s €75m release clause, a significant reduction from the €120m figure quoted last year.
Despite Galatasaray’s interest in making the deal permanent, Osimhen himself has remained noncommittal about his future. After a recent goalless draw against Fenerbahce, the striker told journalists in the mixed zone, “To be honest, I don’t know. A few months ago, nobody thought I would come here.”
“I never believed I would come to a club as big as Galatasaray. For me, I live for the moment. We will see what is going to happen in the summer and I want everybody to understand that I love this club so much and everyone associated with the club.”
The striker’s next destination has become a subject of conflicting reports, with Roma legend Roberto Pruzzo recently claiming that reliable sources have told him Osimhen will join Juventus in the summer transfer window.
With Liverpool and Tottenham also expected to be in the market for a new striker, and Chelsea potentially reigniting their interest despite Osimhen rejecting them last summer, the Nigerian’s future looks set to be one of the most intriguing transfer sagas of the upcoming window.
