Osimhen didn’t want Napoli to ‘decide’ his future: ‘It was important to stay’ | OneFootball

Victor Osimhen says he ‘wouldn’t let anyone’ decide his future, so he was convinced he’d stay at Napoli before receiving a ‘convincing call’ from the Galatasaray coach.

Osimehn is on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli until the end of the season.

The Nigeria international joined the Turkish giants in September after negotiations with Al-Ahli, Chelsea, and PSG during the summer transfer window had failed.

“I had plans to stay there and wait for three or four months and leave in January, but I think for me it was fair also to stay there because I wouldn’t let anyone decide for me,” Osimhen told Turkish media, including TRT Spor, from the Galatasaray training centre.

“It was important for me to stay there since I didn’t get the deserved move that I really preferred.

“When I received the call from the Galatasaray coach, it was really convincing. He said what he wanted to do this season and what he wanted to achieve. I could see what he had set for himself as a man, a coach, and a father. I think I fit in this plan and coming to a team with already a lot of quality players with great ambition, as a footballer it was easy to come.

“When I came I could see how serious Galatasaray are as a club. For me it was the right decision, but also for my family and my daughter. Coming to a city like Istanbul, one of the best in the world. It was easy. So far so good, I’m really happy about my decision. I want to contribute and win something important here.”

Didier Drogba, Drogba’s biggest idol, also played for the Turkish club.

“Drogba also played here. I don’t believe there would be another place where I would enjoy it more,” admitted Osimhen.

“I would like to thank Galatasaray fans as I remember how they welcomed me.

“I am not a player who puts myself before the team. My ambition was to add and contribute to the quality the team already has,” continued the Nigerian forward.”

There were fears that Osimhen would struggle to adapt at Galatasaray playing with another big personality like Mauro Icardi, but the opening games suggest otherwise.

“I have great respect for Icardi and what he’s done for football and Galatasaray,” said Osimhen.

“He’s a big legend here. We’ve seen how me and him can work well on the pitch. But for me, I don’t care about being the best scorer in the league. I want to score, assist and help the team when I have the chance, [help] in defence and attack, just like the coach needs me to do, but collective success is what’s paramount.”

Osimhen has two goals and four assists in the opening four games of the season with Galatasaray.

At the end of September, he scored his only two goals for the club in a home game against Kasımpaşa, warmly celebrating alongside Icardi, a former Inter captain.