Victor Osimhen has hit out at his former Nigeria head coach (Image: Getty)
Victor Osimhen says he has ‘lost respect’ for former Nigeria manager Finidi George. The Chelsea and Arsenal transfer target has taken exception to his ex-national team boss hinting that he pulled out of international fixtures with minor injuries.
Nigeria are struggling to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. George was appointed to improve their results but departed the role just two months later.
There seemed to be some friction with some of his squad, in particular with striker Osimhen. He grew frustrated over the Napoli star missing certain fixtures with knocks.
Osimhen has broken his silence on those claims, insisting he is fully committed to Nigeria. The 25-year-old also admitted he has ‘lost respect’ for George.
“I won’t let anyone believe anything about me. I don’t just address anything - everybody knows when I play for Nigeria, I play my heart out,” Osimhen said in a live Instagram broadcast.
“I just let everything go, but I won’t disrespect anybody. I knew things like these would happen, and that’s why I have the videos and screenshots of when I called Finidi while I was with the doctor in Germany.
“I’ve lost respect for that man because before I disrespect anybody, I always respect them.’’
Osimhen has been strongly linked with a move to the Premier League this summer. Chelsea and Arsenal are both rumoured to be interested in a move for the star, who has scored 48 goals for Napoli in his last two seasons in Italy.
Victor Osimhen insists he is committed to Nigeria and admits he lost respect for Finidi George (Image: Getty)
Chelsea want competition for Nicolas Jackson, while Arsenal will want to replenish their forward line. The Gunners have missed out on top No 9 target Benjamin Sesko, who has decided to sign a new contract with RB Leipzig.
Napoli are demanding around £100m for Osimhen. No Premier League club is willing to pay that price, although it is claimed in the Italian media that some Saudi Arabian sides are happy to meet the valuation.
According to Calcio Napoli, Osimhen is ‘confident’ that an English club will want to pay £100m later in the transfer window. Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis said earlier this year that he expects the player to leave this summer.
"We've known all this since last summer, which is also why negotiations for the extension of his contract, although friendly, took so long," he said. "We know he's either going to Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain or an English club."
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