Nigerian legend and former Dortmund midfielder, Sunday Oliseh has suggested why top European clubs—especially in the Premier League and LaLiga—decided not to sign Victor Osimhen.
Oliseh pointed out the business aspect, character, and tactical fit as key factors that influenced the decision of big clubs to steer clear of the Nigerian striker.
When asked if finances were the main reason Osimhen was too expensive for top clubs, Oliseh said that, for fans, football is about passion, but for those directly involved—coaches, managers, players, and clubs—it is also a business with a lot of money at stake.
“The first impression people have is that it costs €75 million to get Victor Osimhen. If you look at players being bought for €100 million, you might think Victor is much better, so €75 million should be worth it. But the real cost of acquiring and maintaining Osimhen is actually €187 million.”
Oliseh broke down the figure: to sign Osimhen, a club would pay Napoli €75 million—€40 million immediately and €35 million within 12 months. Napoli also inserted a clause to receive 10% of any future sale, meaning if Osimhen were sold again by Galatasaray Napoli would still earn from the deal.
He also discussed wages:
“Victor’s wages are €15 million net. Since neither he nor the club denied it, we’ll take that as accurate. That’s equivalent to €28 million gross per year. Over four years, that’s €112 million. Add that to the €75 million transfer fee, and you reach €187 million.
“This has been a major stumbling block for clubs. When buying a player, you have to consider wages, maintenance, and character. Clubs will ask themselves if the player is worth it compared to others available. This hasn’t worked in Victor’s favor.”
Oliseh also that Napoli’s president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, made Osimhen’s transfer to a top club difficult:
“Napoli can be a difficult club to negotiate with. When Victor renewed his contract, he should have inserted an exit clause, but he didn’t. The president is a shrewd businessman who wants to get every last cent from Osimhen. This hasn’t made life easy for Victor or for clubs trying to sign him.”
He also highlighted Osimhen’s fitness and injury problems:
“When clubs discuss African players, they often bring up AFCON absences. They also mention injuries, as if other players don’t get injured. But when you’re spending €187 million over four years, you want the player available for 85–90% of games. Some Premier League clubs factored that in.”
Oliseh also pointed to Osimhen’s outcry to former Super Eagles head coach Finidi George on an Instagram live video:
“It’s not about the person, but the fact that it was directed at someone in a high national team position. Managers want players who can blend with other characters in the squad, and that didn’t help Victor.”
The former Ajax midfielder also spoke about intervening when Osimhen suffered racial abuse in 2023:
“I called the sports minister and we had a three-way call with the foreign minister. They issued a statement supporting Victor and all Nigerian athletes abroad. But even with such support, he needs to watch his conduct.”
According to Oliseh, marketability was another reason the Premier League clubs didn’t go for him:
“In modern football, you’re not just bought for your talent—you’re bought for your marketability. Clubs look at how they can use your image rights and appeal to fans. If they’re spending big money, they also want off-field returns.”
Tactically, Oliseh explained that Osimhen’s playing style didn’t suit certain elite clubs:
“Top Premier League sides face low-block defenses 80% of the time. Osimhen thrives on pace and space, often as a lone striker. These teams need players who excel in tight spaces and can combine in premeditated tactical patterns. That’s why coaches like Guardiola, Enrique, and Arteta may see him as a poor fit.”
He went further to compare Osimhen to Havertz and Jackson:
“Havertz can play in multiple roles—coming from the left, drifting inside. With Osimhen, he’s mainly a central target man, and not every system relies on one.”
On PSG’s decision not to sign him:
“When Mbappé left, I thought PSG would buy Osimhen. Instead, they moved Dembélé from the wing to a false nine, and now he’s a World Player of the Year candidate. That’s modern football.”
Lastly Oliseh concluded that Osimhen’s move to Galatasaray was due to the lack of Premier League offers:
“He wanted the Premier League—Drogba and Mikel even advocated for him. But the clubs didn’t want him. That doesn’t mean they never will, but I fear this could be the beginning of the end for him at the very top. If they didn’t buy him now, after scoring 37 goals in 41 games, what will make them buy him in two or three years?”
