Victor Osimhen has returned to Nigeria from Istanbul and is expected to soon make a final decision about a possible transfer to Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup.
On Saturday, renowned football journalist Fabrizio Romano shared an update: Osimhen arrived in Nigeria on June 7 and plans to inform interested clubs of his choice shortly. Al Hilal reportedly stands ready to complete the transfer, with medical tests already scheduled to finalize the deal for Osimhen’s participation in the Club World Cup, pending his confirmation expected by the next day.
Meanwhile, reports suggest that Turkish club Galatasaray is stepping up their efforts to sign the Nigerian striker after he reportedly declined the move to Al Hilal.
Beyond transfer news, fans and analysts are currently debating who is the superior player between Victor Osimhen and Georgia’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The two, once teammates at Napoli in Italy, have since moved on but continue to shine at the highest levels in European football.
Osimhen now stars for Galatasaray in Turkey, while Kvaratskhelia plays for Paris Saint-Germain in France. The rivalry has sparked passionate discussions on social media, drawing opinions from football enthusiasts, commentators, and public figures alike.
Popular Nigerian entertainer Freedom Atsepoyi, aka Mr Jollof, favors Kvaratskhelia, praising his vision, creativity, and flair on the field—qualities he believes give the Georgian an edge.
On the other hand, Vincent Otse (VDM), a close friend of Osimhen, firmly supports the Nigerian striker, pointing to Osimhen’s impressive goal-scoring consistency that places him among the world’s top forwards.
Football analyst Monday Izegagbe highlighted the impact both players had during Napoli’s Serie A title-winning campaign in the 2022–2023 season. He also noted Osimhen’s crucial role in Galatasaray’s recent league and Turkish Cup victories this season. Kvaratskhelia, meanwhile, has been instrumental in PSG’s treble-winning season, securing the Champions League, Ligue 1, and the French Cup.
Izegagbe praised Osimhen’s remarkable scoring record this season, with 36 goals in 39 appearances, emphasizing his speed, strength, and lethal finishing that trouble defenders.
Another fan, Mr Azuka Izu, pointed out the difficulty in comparing the two players due to their different roles on the pitch. He described Osimhen as a natural goal scorer, while Kvaratskhelia excels as a creative playmaker focused on setting up chances. According to Izu, assessing the better player should consider their overall impact on the team’s success.
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