Osimhen is set to return to Napoli following a successful loan spell at Galatasaray, where he delivered an impressive goal tally. ..Continue Reading
However, he is not part of Antonio Conte’s plans, as tensions between the player and the club escalated during a difficult transfer window last year.
Galatasaray is eager to keep him for another season, while interest has also emerged from clubs in Saudi Arabia.
Despite these opportunities, Osimhen remains focused on securing a move to the Premier League, according to Mikel.
The former Chelsea midfielder had hoped to see Osimhen join Stamford Bridge this summer, but negotiations failed to materialize into a deal at the last moment.
With Chelsea now prioritizing other attacking options, their interest in Osimhen appears to have cooled, as new arrivals are expected to compete for a starting role next season.
Mikel regrets Chelsea’s missed chance to sign a proven striker and believes Arsenal and Manchester United are the most realistic destinations for Osimhen. He also insists that United must strengthen their forward line, particularly addressing their need for a more clinical finisher.
‘I hope there is still a Premier League move for him this summer’, Mikel told Metro.
‘I think the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United, they still need a striker. I don’t think [Rasmus] Hojlund is the guy for Manchester United. He runs around and works hard but he is not the guy who will score goals, put them in the top four and win them trophies. So for me Manchester United might be the destination.
‘I don’t want to see him in Saudi right now because he still has so much to offer in Europe. It would be a shame to see him go there. So maybe Arsenal, United, Juventus and PSG too [are his options]. Let’s see what happens.’
Despite missing out on European qualification, United’s ability to attract talent remains strong, with Matheus Cunha already arriving and Bryan Mbeumo choosing them over Newcastle and Arsenal.
However, Osimhen’s situation is different, given his impressive track record in European tournaments with Napoli.
While United’s absence from the Champions League and Europa League could be a drawback, John Obi Mikel believes his fellow Nigerian might be willing to make the short-term sacrifice to help revive the club’s fortunes.
‘I think so,’ Mikel said when asked if a lack of European football could stop United’s chances of signing Osimhen. ‘As the top striker and player I know he is, yes I think that would be a factor.
‘Maybe he would say, “I will give it a season.” Knowing he is in the squad with a few other signings that Ruben Amorim gets in, the players he wants, it is something Victor might consider. Maybe he would think about sacrificing a season.
‘We have to wait and see. But I think we want to see him in the Champions League so maybe Arsenal might be the destination. Maybe there is a door open there for Victor.
‘I’ve had a few conversations with him. I won’t say much about what those conversations were but he is working to make sure he ends up at a top, top European league where he can showcase his and talent and compete to win the Champions League.’
Mikel doesn’t hide the fact he was desperate to see his old team bring in Osimhen, a player he believes would provide an instant lift.
‘Everyone knows who I wanted to see come to the football club and who the fans wanted to see come to the football club, Mikel said.
‘It is a shame he didn’t come to Chelsea, the club he supported as a kid growing up, but they have decided to go in a different direction [signing Delap] which is fine, I hope it works out for him at the club.
‘But I would have loved to see someone come in to hit the ground running straight away, who knows how to play in big games, in big competitions who has been there and done it. But we have to support Delap and make sure it works out for him.’
