Ighalo Discloses He Preferred Osimhen's Transfer to Al-Hilal Over Galatasaray
Former Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo has openly stated that he would have favored seeing his compatriot Victor Osimhen complete a transfer to Al-Hilal rather than joining Galatasaray. This revelation comes amid discussions about Osimhen's recent move, which has sparked interest in the football community.
Background on the Transfer Bid and Decision
During the summer transfer window, Al-Hilal reportedly submitted a substantial bid of €70 million to Napoli for Osimhen's services. However, despite this offer, the Turkish champions Galatasaray ultimately secured the striker's signature, leading to mixed reactions among fans and former players.
In an interview with Winwin, Ighalo, who previously played for Al-Hilal during his tenure in Saudi Arabia, emphasized that the final decision rests with the player himself. He acknowledged that while players must make their own choices, he personally harbored hopes for Osimhen to choose the Saudi side.
Ighalo's Comments on the Matter"These are not mistakes because, as players, we have to make our own decisions," Ighalo said. "For me, I wished he had gone to Al-Hilal. But Galatasaray is a big club—the biggest in Turkey. They play in the Champions League and perform well. Most importantly, he is doing well there."
Reasons Behind Ighalo's Preference
The former Manchester United forward explained that his preference stems from his deep affection for Al-Hilal, a club he represented during his time in Saudi Arabia. He expressed a sentimental connection to the team, which influenced his desire to see Osimhen join them.
"Out of love for Al-Hilal, one of the clubs I played for in Saudi Arabia, I hoped Osimhen would join them," he added. "Maybe not now, but after his time with Galatasaray, he could still make that move in the future."
Key Points from Ighalo's Statement:- Ighalo respects Osimhen's decision-making autonomy as a player.
- He acknowledges Galatasaray's stature as a top club in Turkey with Champions League participation.
- His wish for Osimhen to join Al-Hilal is driven by personal fondness for the Saudi club.
- Ighalo suggests a potential future move to Al-Hilal remains a possibility for Osimhen.
This insight from Ighalo adds a personal perspective to the ongoing narrative surrounding Osimhen's career moves, highlighting how former players' experiences can shape their views on current transfers in the football world.
