Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen has cleared the air over speculation surrounding his future at the Turkish club after Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle suggested that the forward would miss Nigeria’s upcoming friendlies against Poland and Portugal due to a potential summer transfer, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Chelle made the comment while explaining Osimhen’s withdrawal from the squad ahead of the two matches scheduled for this month.
In Chelle’s words, Osimhen was “maybe trying to change clubs”, but the Super Eagles media team has since clarified the coach’s remarks.
In a post on Instagram, the striker also dismissed the rumours, insisting that Chelle’s comments had been taken out of context.
“I just got off the phone with Coach Eric Chelle regarding the comments about me in his recent interview,” Osimhen wrote.
“Unfortunately, his words have been taken out of context and blown out of proportion. He has great respect for Galatasaray, follows most of our games and never intended to create any controversy.
“I appreciate the conversation, the opportunity to always represent my country, and I look forward to continuing to work with him.
“He is a great coach whom I respect a lot, and I kindly ask everyone to disregard the speculation surrounding this matter. Thank you for your consistent support.”
Before Chelle’s comments, Osimhen had been heavily linked with a potential summer move away from Galatasaray following another successful season with the Turkish champions.
The 27-year-old scored 15 league goals and provided five assists in 22 matches, helping the club secure another league title.
He also contributed seven goals and three assists in the UEFA Champions League as Galatasaray reached the round of 16.
His latest transfer speculation links him with Manchester United, where reports claim he tops the club’s five-man shortlist of striking targets ahead of the summer transfer window.
However, sources close to the player have indicated that he is only interested in leaving if Galatasaray decide to part ways with him.
Meanwhile, the club have reportedly placed a valuation of €150m on the striker, whom they bought from Napoli for €75m last summer.
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