Victor Osimhen has been linked with a move to the Premier League on numerous occasions in the past, and the Galatasaray striker has been encouraged to take the plunge.
Florent Malouda has encouraged Victor Osimhen to take the ‘next step’ in his career. The Galatasaray striker was heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge during the summer of 2024, but a deal collapsed on deadline day, so he joined the Turkish giants on an initial loan instead.
football.london understands that Chelsea submitted a bid for Osimhen in the final days of the transfer window. The Blues wanted to sign the Nigeria international on a season-long loan, which included an obligation-to-buy clause.
But Chelsea couldn’t reach an agreement with Napoli. So, having already been omitted from the first team, Osimhen snubbed an ‘extortionate’ offer from Al-Ahli and joined Galatasaray.
The following summer, the Süper Lig champions forked out £65.6m (€75m) to retain his services, breaking the Turkish transfer record. Rather than go back in for the Nigerian, Chelsea took their business elsewhere; they signed Joao Pedro and Liam Delap for a combined £90m instead.
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Although Osimhen signed a long-term contract, which keeps him in Istanbul until at least June 2029, Malouda believes the striker ‘belongs’ in the Premier League. Speaking to Snabbare, the former Chelsea winger said: “Victor Osimhen can perform in the Premier League.
“When you look at his mindset, his character, and his passion for the game, I think he belongs in the Premier League. Where would he fit? Each club has a different story, a different budget, contract conditions, and situations.
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“But I think that’s what’s missing in his career now,” continued Malouda, who won the Premier League and three FA Cups with Chelsea. He’s done great in Italy, in France, and now in Turkey.
“I think his next step is the Premier League and the Champions League, where he can play in a team that can win it. I would say Chelsea, and maybe Liverpool, are the clubs that would suit him way better than Manchester United.
“He is very energetic, he’s a leader, he is the kind of player that the fans would love…”
Earlier this year, Osimhen provided an update on his future. In an interview with Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport ahead of Galatasaray’s clash against Juventus in the Champions League, the Nigerian left the door open to a move to the Old Lady.
“Who wouldn’t want to play for Juventus?” said Osimhen. “99 per cent of players hope to be part of this great and historic club. We’ll see in the future, why not? It would be a privilege.
“It’s true, I wanted to come to Juventus: unfortunately, the transfer didn’t materialize before Galatasaray arrived. Now I’m happy here, we’ll see: there are so many great clubs in Italy.
“But right now, I’m thinking about the present and Galatasaray. I love this club. I’m demanding of myself and I’ve faced criticism in the past. Sometimes there are failures but I’m a winner and I want to push myself and my teammates on the pitch.
“I don’t like losing. I love Galatasaray very much and I’ll give my all for this club.”
