Former Super Eagles and Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi has refuted claims that Victor Osimhenโs wage demands were the cause of the failed transfer to Chelsea.
The Premier League side made a last-minute attempt to secure the Super Eagles forward during the final hours of the summer transfer window, but the deal could not be finalized.
According to reports, Napoli had accepted an โฌ80 million ($88.5 million) offer from Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli on deadline day, but Osimhen expressed doubts about leaving European football.
Mikel, who was involved in the deal with Osimhen, has revealed that the transfer was just โhours awayโ from being finalized and noted that the forward was โdisappointedโ when the move fell through.
โI know what Victor wanted, I know what the club offered him, I know where we got to; we finally got to a compromise; both sides had to compromise, I was just some little things here and there, paperwork, medical, and a few issues we just couldnโt get over the line, and we didnโt have much time,โ Mikel revealed on The Obi One Podcast.
โBoth sides really played their part in terms of getting the deal done, and I commend Chelsea for that because I can see their ambition of where they want to take this club now and also on Victorโs side, how much he really wanted to come to the club.
โHe was disappointed it didnโt happen. I spoke to him when the transfer window shut. I gave him a call. We spent 20 minutes talking, I said, โListen, Iโm always here for you. You need to keep your head down. You need to keep working hard. Keep training. I know itโs not the best situation right now, but I know youโre strong.โ
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โYou know, Victorโs a strong character; heโs a bit like Didier Drogba and Diego Costa, and thatโs something weโre missing at the clubโstrikers who have that edge, who have that bite who can intimidate defenders, and Victor definitely has that.โ
Speaking further, Mikel dismissed reports of issues between Osimhen and Chelsea over the failed transfer.
โDefinitely, there are no issues. I think if we have to pick this back up again like I said, whenever it is, January or next summer, we know where we are, we know where weโve stopped, and itโs just little details that need to be finalised and the deal will be done.
โSo for me, the club is in a very happy place with Victor, and Victor is in a very happy place with the club.
โI want to make sure; Iโm not going to rest; I want to make sure I get him to the club because I know, not because heโs my friend, or heโs like my younger brother, or heโs Nigerian; no, he is one of the best strikers in the world right now; heโs Africaโs best player; I know what he can bring to the club, and Iโm sure a lot of Chelsea fans know what Victor can bring to the club.โ
The reigning African Footballer of the Year has since sealed a season-long loan deal to Galatasaray.