Victor Osimhen issues two Premier League sides come-and-get-me-plea - after admitting he turned down 'huge' summer move

Napoli striker Victor Osimhen looks on during a Serie A match against Bologna in September 2023.
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Victor Osimhen has named which two Premier League sides he'd prefer to move to if the opportunity arose, after revealing that he turned down an extremely lucrative offer last summer. 

The Napoli striker has been the subject of intense transfer speculation over the past year, following his Serie A goalscoring form last term which landed him the golden boot. Europe's most dominant clubs have all been linked with a move for the 24-year-old, with out-and-out finishers in high demand right now. 

Among them have naturally been Premier League sides, with Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool, Newcastle, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur all reportedly interested at one stage or another. 

Victor Osimhen of SSC Napoli celebrates after scoring their first side goal during the Serie A TIM match between SSC Napoli and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on October 08, 2023 in Naples, Italy.

Osimhen has been bagging goals again this season (Image credit: Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

And now Victor Osimhen has revealed which two English teams he would favour a move to if he does leave Napoli while speaking to former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel on the Obi One Podcast

“I don’t have a favourite Premier League club, but I have two shirts: Chelsea and Manchester United," Osimhen said. "Many of my friends are Chelsea fans, a few Manchester United.

"The Premier League is the most popular league for any African player, it’s a great league.”

Earlier on in the conversation, though, Osimhen discusses turning down a move Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal, who had a £175m bid rejected by Napoli. The Nigerian goalscorer highlights that he made the decision alongside the Italian champions, though he admits he found it difficult to say no to such an enticing offer. 

Victor Osimhen gestures during Napoli's Champions league clash against Real Madrid in October 2023.

The Nigerian striker found it tough turning down Al-Hilal's offer (Image credit: Getty Images)

"What was said is true. I have to be honest, I never thought about leaving last summer because Napoli wanted to keep me, but when the offer came from Saudi Arabia, a huge offer, it was hard to refuse. I spoke to Napoli and decided to stay.

“It was crazy. The more I said no, the more they increased the financial offer. It would have changed my life, they never gave up. But I said, 'no guys, I’m staying'.

"I had talks in August, it was a huge decision for me to make. I spoke to Napoli, and we decided together to refuse. I didn’t want people to think I wanted to leave. It was a positive decision for my career. As much as you play football for money, there is also so much more to it.”

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Ryan Dabbs
Staff writer

Ryan is a staff writer for FourFourTwo, joining the team full-time in October 2022. He first joined Future in December 2020, working across FourFourTwo, Golf Monthly, Rugby World and Advnture's websites, before eventually earning himself a position with FourFourTwo permanently. After graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in Journalism and Communications, Ryan earned a NCTJ qualification to further develop as a writer while a Trainee News Writer at Future.