Outgoing Lille Metropole of France striker,Victor Osimhen has received a special message from President Muhammadu Buhari ahead of his official unveiling by AS Napoli of Italy, according to Nigeria’s ambassador to the European peninsula country, megasportsarena.com reports.
The message came along with personal goodwill pronouncements from the entire Nigerian diplomatic mission in Italy, headed by Ambassador Yusuf Jonga Hinna, as they all expressed excitement about Osimhen impending confirmation as a new signing by Napoli.
It was with sheer delight and pride that the ambassador and his aides received news that Osimhen had his medical in Naples last Saturday and returned to France 24 hours later in order to bid farewell to his teammates at Lille, while awaiting confirmation of his transfer from his new agent.
Nigeria’s deputy ambassador to Italy and minister of political and economic affairs, Franklin Ogunyemi disclosed as much in an interview with Radio Kiss Napoli and added that President Buhari is equally looking forward to seeing the deal go through.
Napoli were widely reported to announce Osimhen’s signing Friday, but like several other days when this was expected to happen the Italian club’s various social media accounts did not mention anything like that.
However, the much-awaited announcement is now expected in the new week, again according to most media outlets that have been covering this move, whose cost has been put at between 50 and 81 million Euros depending on the source.
While awaiting the announcement, Osimhen has jetted out on holidays alongside Villarreal of Spain winger, Samuel Chukwueze and his girlfriend, courtesy of a private jet made available to them by the owner of Lille.
Although Osimhen, who has agreed a five-year deal and chose to wear jersey number nine, had also been linked with possible moves to the English Premier League this summer, Ogunyemi is of a view that Napoli is an ideal club for the youngster to continue his development.
Ogunyemi stated: “We also know that the Chief of our country, Muhammadu Buhari, is happy with this transfer Osimhen is a young but very strong player. He will perhaps be the highest-paid African player.
“He is strong, fast and tactical too. The boy has the characteristic of the Nigerian population: never gives up. For these reasons, I will compare him to Ronaldo. The Nigerian Football Federation is happy with his move too and I believe Naples is the right choice.
“It’s the ideal place to grow and bring the club to even higher levels. Besides, here in Naples, like the rest of Italy – there is a large representation of the Nigerian population who will certainly cheer Osimhen when he plays.”
