Former England and Barcelona striker Gary Lineker has claimed that several top European clubs opted against signing Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen due to concerns about his character.
Prior to completing a €75 million move to Turkish giants, Osimhen was widely considered one of the most sought-after strikers in global football. Premier League clubs such as Chelsea, Manchester United, and Arsenal, along with Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain, were all reportedly interested in acquiring his services. However, while speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Lineker hinted that off-field concerns may have deterred some suitors.
“I saw Osimhen play a couple of times against Leicester in the Europa League,” Lineker said. “He was so impressive, and I’ve followed his career since then. He was absolutely brilliant for Napoli — sensational, really.”
“But I hear through the grapevine that some clubs are a bit nervous because he sometimes goes missing for a few days. So apparently, there are slight concerns about his character in that regard.” According to these accounts, it may have been this perceived issue—rather than a lack of ability—that led certain Premier League teams to back away from a potential move during the summer 2025 transfer window.
Source : https://m.lindaikejisblog.com/
