One of Nigerian football legends, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha has advised current football sensation and Nigerian international, Victor Osimhen to consider staying back with Turkish club, Galatasaray where the Super Eagles striker just finished an outstanding season on loan from Italian side, Napoli .
Speaking with Turkish state-media, TRT Spor, Okocha who had a two-year fiery tale season with Turkish side Fenerbahçe, counseled Osimhen to consider social and emotional satisfaction in considering his next move.
Osimhen spent the last season on loan in Galatasaray where he cored 37 goals and became the most talked about footballer in the Turkey.
Giving a heartfelt advise to Osimhen, Okocha said, “Turkey is a great place to play and live football,”
“Sometimes, you may need to make sacrifices when making decisions in football. Osimhen had a great season at Galatasaray. Ultimately, he is happy there. Why shouldn’t he stay with the team? I love Turkey. He loves it too.”
In Galatasaray, the management and fans strongly wish that the Nigerian remain with them for the new season. The teams’s head coach Okan Buruk has acknowledged that Osimhen’s future remains uncertain, but acknowledged his contribution and expressed hope that he would remain with the club.
Galatasaray fans across the globe have already launched a massive online campaign #staywithus to persuade Osimhen to stay with the club. Giant billboards, fliers and online short videos have emerged to ensure that the Nigerian stays put in Turkey.
Sources close to Osimhen’s agent reveal that he has reportedly received a new contract offer from Galatasaray worth €15m per year, a €3m increase on his current earnings, which would make him the highest-paid player in the club’s history.
Despite the mounting pressure for Osimhen to remain with the Turkish side, Jay Jay Okocha says that, “Wherever he decides to go, I wish him the best.”