Former Nigerian international Etim Esin has spoken on the delayed transfer of Victor Osimhen, a striker for Napoli, blaming it on off-field problems, particularly the player’s tirade against former Super Eagles coach Finidi George.
Osimhen has been linked to moves even before the summer transfer window opened. With 10 days remaining in business, the former Italian champions are still looking for offers that are suitable for the player, who is valued at €130 million. Osimhen criticised Finidi during a live video in June over remarks about his absence from the national team.
Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, PSG and Manchester United have all been linked with a move for the reigning African Footballer of The Year but nothing has materialised with the Blues remaining as the only viable option.
In an interview with Elegbete TV, Esin, who is regarded as one of the most gifted Nigerian players, feels the transfer of the 25-year-old ought not to take too long, given his pedigree as the best player in Africa.
“A coach can make or mar you in terms of indiscipline, and I think one of my pitfalls was indiscipline,” Esin told Elegbete TV.
“You haven’t played the World Cup. You haven’t won AFCON; you just won the African Footballer of The Year, and you are ranting like this.
“Look at all the transfer saga going on. Now, they are looking for a swap deal, making your life difficult. Which African Footballer of the Year has been involved in a swap deal? Yekini, Amuneke, Ikpeba and co, signed them straight up.
“I think Osimhen should sit down and even come and ask someone like me what indiscipline has cost me in football. Thank God it hasn’t cost my life.
He also noted that the player should turn his attention to the more needy aspects of the residents of the area in which he grew up in Lagos.
“Go to where you are from and build an academy. Raise another star, if they can’t play football, give them scholarships. That’s what his team should advise him to do. I’m not coming here showing off with music stars. I used to do that, but it would derail him.
“By now, his deal should have been closed. The window is almost over.”
Osimhen was signed from Lille in 2020 for a fee of around €75m and the Nigeria international has gone on to establish himself as one of the most exciting strikers in world football. He scored 25 league goals in the 2022/23 season to help Napoli win the Serie A for the first time in 33 years, emerged as the league’s top scorer and won the APOTY award in December 2023.
