Senegal hero Kalidou Koulibaly has admitted he tried to lure Victor Osimhen to Saudi Arabia before the striker sealed a move to Galatasaray, Footynaija.com reports.
The former Napoli and Chelsea defender, now captain of Al-Hilal, revealed he pushed hard to convince Osimhen to join him in the Saudi Pro League after receiving lucrative offers. But the Super Eagles forward turned them all down in favour of Istanbul.
“We had a chance to talk. I frankly explained our reality in Saudi Arabia to Osimhen,” Koulibaly told Gazzetta.it.
“I explained to him that there is a limited or distorted perception of football, where there are great players, like Cristiano Ronaldo and many others. Osimhen explained to me that Istanbul enthusiastically welcomed him and his family, and that there are strong ambitions. He made his choice, and I wish him the best.”
Osimhen had already spent last season on loan at Galatasaray, scoring freely, winning the Turkish Golden Boot, and helping Okan Buruk’s side clinch a league and cup double. That form convinced the Turkish giants to tie him down on a four-year deal this summer, despite rival bids from Al-Hilal.
The 26-year-old has quickly become the face of Galatasaray’s attack alongside Mauro Icardi, with his arrival seen as one of the biggest transfers in Turkish football history.
