Victor Osimhen Excluded from Nigeria Squad Amid 150 Million Euro Transfer Talks

Nigeria's national team coach Eric Chelle announced that striker Victor Osimhen will not be included in the squad for the upcoming friendly matches against Poland and Portugal.

Chelle explained that Osimhen's absence is intended to protect the player and allow him to focus on his professional future amid increasing reports of a potential transfer to a new club during the current transfer window.

“Osimhen will not be with us for the friendlies against Poland and Portugal because of the possibility of his move to a new club,” Chelle stated. “Playing without being 100% mentally focused is not a good situation, so I did not want to take any risks with him.”

This decision by the Nigerian coaching staff aims to provide Osimhen with the calm needed to finalize his next destination and to avoid any injuries that could jeopardize the anticipated transfer, especially given the interest from several major European clubs.

Multiple media reports have linked Osimhen to a move to Manchester United.

The website TeamTalk described the Galatasaray forward as an ideal solution for Manchester United, noting the club's long-standing interest in the Nigerian international.

“Signing him could significantly boost United's ambitions to compete for the title,” the report said, “but it may require paying around 150 million euros to persuade Galatasaray to release him.”

Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid has requested that Ademola Lookman be rested due to severe fatigue after a long and demanding season.