Everton, Galatasaray, or Monaco? Why Henry Onyekuru’s Ligue 1 move is the right call

The Nigeria international has been unveiled by Monaco at the Stade Louis II where he will call home for the next five years, all things being equal.

Everton wanted him to stay, Galatasaray insisted on his return, Henry Onyekuru himself longed to go back to the Turkish champions but it is the Principality Club that has won the race for his signature after parting with a reported 15 million euros.

https://www.twitter.com/Mujeeb_Ayo/status/1086678463640154112

It’s a bit of brilliant business for the Toffees who acquired the youngster for just 8 million euros from KAS Eupen in the summer of 2017 and have sold him for almost twice that amount, despite the Super Eagles winger not playing a single competitive game for the Toffees.

In Theo Walcott, Richarlison, Moise Kean, and Alex Iwobi, Marco Silva’s side boasts top quality forwards and it would have been difficult for Henry Onyekuru to pin down a regular playing spot. So, Everton won’t miss him that much even if they wanted him so badly.

A permanent transfer to Galatasaray would have been a better fit for the tricky winger, however.

https://www.twitter.com/Mujeeb_Ayo/status/1086677865482149888

In Turkey, the Aspire Senegal academy product found the net 16 times and provided another 6 assists in 37 league and cup appearances as Galatasaray won the domestic double last term.

He knows the club, he’s familiar with the culture and the fans adore him. It would have been a match made in heaven if Henry had returned to the Lions on a permanent transfer. It would have done his career loads of good and given his reputation a huge boost.

Henry Onyekwuru's entrance during Galatasaray's title celebration.
Naija to the world! pic.twitter.com/otnVx3t35g

— Son of Teacher (@nnaezema) May 26, 2019

But does that make his Monaco move a terrible one?

Certainly, not.

Monaco is definitely not a rundown club in a backyard European league lost in the illusions of a distant, gloried past.

Galatasaray is in the past. Monaco is the present and the future.

George Opong Weah, Thierry Henry, Bernardo Silva and Kylian Mbappe all made names for themselves at Monaco and it was while playing for Les Monégasques that Nigeria hero Victor Ikpeba won the 1997 Africa Player of the Year award.

Monaco’s struggles have been well documented as they narrowly escaped relegation last term. Yet, a mere two years ago, the club were Ligue 1 champions and made the semifinal of the UEFA Champions League.

Many of the players who helped achieve that feat have since moved on to greener pastures but the man who worked to put all the pieces together – Leonardo Jardim – is back at the club after a short spell with Thierry Henry in charge.

In Jardim, Onyekuru has a manager with an unbending policy of nurturing young talents to super stardom.

The Portuguese favours a positive, expansive, attacking style of play which the former KAS Eupen forward will enjoy and thrive in.

Celtic target Henry Onyekuru has been left out of Eupen's squad for tonight's game. Here's 5 of his 12 goals this season pic.twitter.com/HXNO5bwGfL

— Read Celtic with Eric Knott (@ReadCeltic) January 26, 2017

In midfield, Onyekuru will have the experienced Cesc Fabregas and the skillful Alex Golovin as wonderful role models to look up to. Further upfield is the ageless Radamel Falcao from whom the 22-year-old can learn a thing or two about scoring goals.

The Super Eagles youngster need only keep a humble head and work hard, for he’s at the perfect place for his raw potentials to be moulded into greatness, not only for club but also for country.

If Victor Osimhen can take to the French League as a duck to water, Henry should have no difficulty doing same once he settles down.

In two or three years he could be leading the Super Eagles attack alongside Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze, as the bigger European clubs fall over one another to secure his services. And it would be well deserved.