Odion Ighalo has tipped his fellow countryman and reported Manchester United target Victor Osimhen to be the future of Nigerian football.
The young centre-forward announced himself with his performances at the 2016 U17 World Cup where he clinched the Golden Boot and Silver Ball awards as Nigeria were crowned champions.
The Manchester Evening News recently linked the Lille forward with a switch to Old Trafford.
“I talk to Osimhen, he’s a very nice boy. He’s a good guy. We talk, not almost every day, but almost every I advise him,” the 30-year-old, who is currently on loan at United until the end of May, told Elegbate TV, as quoted by GOAL.
“He’s the future of Nigerian football. He’s the future, he’s going to do so well in football. I always advise him to keep calm, keeping working and the guy is going to be a celebrity, you know.
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“He came to watch our game against Club Brugge in Belgium because it’s closer to where he lives, he messaged me he was going to come so I gave him my jersey, and in fact, he brought his own jersey for me, too.
“Osimhen is a nice boy, we’re from the same place. I love him, he’s down to earth, he’s hard-working, he has a future and he has the mentality of a winner, that’s what I love about him. He has that lion’s heart.
“I love him, I just want him to keep working hard the way he’s doing, he’s going to break so many records in Europe and Nigeria.”
Osimhen joined Lille from RSC Charleroi last summer and this season has scored 18 goals in 38 appearances.
He could be viewed as a younger alternative to Ighalo, if the more experienced striker doesn’t join United permanently from Shanghai Shenhua this summer, and according to Transfermarkt, his current transfer market value stands at £24.3m.
On the International stage, Osimhen has netted four times in nine games, and it’s clear that the former Super Eagles striker is a fan.
Ighalo himself has continued his fine form in front of goal since joining United, scoring four goals and providing one assist in eight appearances across all competitions.