Osimhen rejected Man Utd out of ‘respect’ for current player

Victor Osimhen reportedly rejected a move to Manchester United earlier this year out of respect for Odion Ighalo, before his move to Napoli.

Osimhen’s future was up for intense debate in his final days at Lille this summer, with several clubs keen on signing him.

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United and Premier League rivals Liverpool and Tottenham were reportedly among them.

However, it was the Serie A side who eventually won the race, wrapping up the deal for around £54million.

Speaking to Complete Sports, Osimhen’s brother, Andrew, revealed the reasons for his sibling rejecting United.

“It is very true that Manchester United wanted Victor but he told me something like he had too much respect for Odion Ighalo to be competing for shirts with his senior colleague,” he said.

“My brother holds Ighalo in high esteem and he just didn’t see himself going to Old Trafford to battle for a striking role with the highest goalscorer at the 2019 AFCON in Egypt.”