…as Osimhen’s assist spurs club to overpower Braga
Nigeria’s Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro is happy that Victor Osimhen made a costly decision to remain at Serie A side, Napoli.
The 24-year-old Nigerian striker displayed an impressive feat at the Braga Municipal Stadium on Wednesday to inspire Napoli to victory in their opening game of the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League season.
Osimhen registered an assist for Napoli in their 2-1 victory over Portuguese club Braga in the opening game of the season.
He engaged Giovanni Di Lorenzo through on goal with a slick pass, and the Italian converted, in spite of pressure from Braga defenders, to make it 1-0 for the Italian club.
“But Victor is very happy in Napoli. For his growth path, staying in Europe and showing off in the Champions League remains the best way. He is young and has time to prove his talent,” Peseiro told Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport.
“Then I understand that in the face of certain offers one can waver: two seasons in Arabia are worth more than ten in Europe, but money is not everything. Victor has improved a lot in Italy,” he said.
Recall that last season, Victor Osimhen scored 26 goals and provided five assists as he helped Napoli win the Scudetto for the first time in 33 years.
Osimhen also helped the Italian side to reach the quarter-finals of the 2022-2023 UEFA Champions League for the first time in the history of the club.
Following his exceptional performance, Osimhen attracted the attention of top European clubs including Paris Saint Germain, Chelsea, Manchester United, and Bayern Munich.
Notwithstanding, Napoli’s high price tag on Osimhen and their unwillingness to negotiate a deal with the admirers compelled the clubs to drop their transfer notion.
Interestingly, reports asserted that the Italian Serie A side, Napoli shunned a bid worth €100 million from PSG for Osimhen and also declined a similar bid from a Saudi Pro League club.
Coach Peseiro is pleased with Osimhen’s stance for not being forward to push for a transfer from Napoli, which made it easier for Napoli to turn down bids from suitors.
