The Nigeria international striker is on the verge of completing a multi-million euro deal to the Serie A giants, in a move that is of interest even to the leader of the West African nation
Deputy Ambassador of Nigeria to Italy, Franklin Ogunyemi, has revealed that Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari is pleased with Victor Osimhen’s imminent switch from Lille to Napoli.
In the coming days, Osimhen is expected to put pen to paper on a deal that could potentially make him the most expensive Nigerian footballer in history after several weeks of twists and turns.
A big fan of the Premier League, Osimhen was initially not turned on by the interests from Napoli, with the youngster reportedly concerned about rampant discrimination against people of colour in Italy.
A lot of Osimhen’s fears have seemingly been laid to rest, with negotiations between Napoli and the 21-year-old forward now at an advanced stage.
Osimhen could be Nigeria’s most prominent striker in Serie A since Obafemi Martins took the league by storm. That prospect delights President Buhari and Nigeria’s entire diplomatic mission in Italy.
“The entire Nigerian diplomatic mission, headed by Ambassador Yusuf Jonga Hinna, is very happy with Victor Osimhen’s transfer to Naples,” Ogunyemi told Naples based radio station, Radio Kiss Kiss.
“We know that the head of state of our country, Muhammadu Buhari, is also happy with this transfer. Osimhen is a young but already very strong footballer.
“He will perhaps be the highest-paid African footballer, a sign that we are talking about a very talented boy.
“He is strong, fast, tactical. He has a characteristic of the Nigerian population: he never gives up. For these reasons, I compare him to Ronaldo.”
