Victor Osimhen: Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea? Andy Cole gives verdict on Premier League future

Victor Osimhen has spent years being linked with a move to the Premier League, Soccernet.ng reports.

Now one of England's most respected former strikers believes the Super Eagles star has the qualities to succeed in the competition.

Former Manchester United striker Andy Cole told GOAL that Osimhen would be “very good” in the Premier League if he eventually makes the move.

The 27-year-old is under contract at Galatasaray until June 2029 after completing a €75 million move from Napoli in July 2025. Galatasaray confirmed the deal included a €15 million net annual salary, plus a €1 million loyalty bonus and €5 million per season in image rights.

That contract makes a January move complicated, but not impossible if an English club is prepared to negotiate seriously with Galatasaray.

English clubs linked with Victor Osimhen

Osimhen's Premier League links have covered several of England's biggest clubs.

Manchester United have been credited with interest over several years, while former United stars Patrice Evra, Louis Saha and Rio Ferdinand have also publicly backed the idea of bringing him to Old Trafford.

United's situation has changed, however. They signed Benjamin Sesko in 2026, meaning the Slovenia international is currently the club's established out-and-out No.9.

Chelsea have perhaps been the most persistent Premier League name in the Osimhen story. The Blues were heavily linked with him during his Napoli years and were also involved in discussions around his future before his eventual move to Galatasaray.

Arsenal have also been linked with Osimhen for several years. That interest became particularly strong again during the 2026 summer window. Arsenal reportedly held talks over a possible deal involving Galatasaray, although the proposed move did not happen before the September deadline.

Liverpool have also appeared in the transfer conversation. Tottenham Hotspur are the more recent addition to the English picture. Still, none of those links has yet produced a completed transfer.

Andy Cole says Victor Osimhen has what it takes

Cole is not making the judgement as an outsider. The former England striker scored 187 Premier League goals, won five league titles with Manchester United and claimed the Golden Boot after scoring 34 goals for Newcastle United in 1993-94.

That gives his assessment of Osimhen added weight. Cole was asked whether Osimhen's pace, strength and finishing would allow him to succeed in England. Cole's answer was direct.

“He does. He scores goals. He scored goals in Italy and he's scoring goals in Turkey as well.

“But, you know, it depends. There's many different factors in signing a player from a respective country. It's not all about just the salary or the transfer fee. There could be many different things that go on. If he does come to the Premier League, which I think he will be very good in the Premier League, you never know who he'll go to.”

Osimhen has already produced in three major European leagues. He scored 18 goals in his only Lille season, moved to Napoli and helped the Italian club win the 2022-23 Serie A title as the league's top scorer with 26 goals. He then moved to Galatasaray, where he has scored 65 goals in 78 appearances for the Turkish club.

The unanswered question is whether England will be the fourth major European league where he proves himself.

Victor Osimhen: How could a January Premier League move happen?

The first obstacle is Galatasaray. Osimhen is tied to the Turkish champions until June 2029, so an English club cannot simply activate a release clause and take him away.

A club such as Manchester United, Chelsea or Arsenal would need two things to fall into place before a possible move is sealed.

First, Galatasaray would have to agree to sell. Galatasaray have no contractual reason to accept a cheap offer.

Second, the buying club would have to solve the salary problem. An English club would need to build a package capable of matching or improving that arrangement.

The 2027 Premier League winter window opens on January 1 and closes on February 1 at 23:00 GMT.