Lille hitman Victor Osimhen has named Rashidi Yekini, Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo, Chelsea icon Didier Drogba and former Barcelona star Samuel Eto'o as his footballing idols.

The 2015 FIFA U17 World Cup Golden Boot winner has often been likened to Nigeria's all-time record scorer Yekini due to his playing style and goalscoring ability, but he has acknowledged that he cannot fill the shoes of the legendary Super Eagles striker for now.

The 21-year-old Osimhen has made a name for himself this season and is one of the most coveted young players in France, with the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Real Madrid and Barcelona all linked with a summer move for the Lille number 7.

Pressed to name the players he models his game after, Osimhen told allnigeriasoccer.com : "Being compared to the late Rashidi Yekini (may his soul rest in peace) is really a great thing for me, but I feel I’m not there yet because of what he has done for Nigeria football and the wonderful career.

"He’s a big legend and I would love to reach that level and I think I’m on the right path, he's one of my idols and also Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto'o and Odion Ighalo. "

Osimhen has a mentor-mentee relationship with Odion Ighalo and traveled to Belgium to watch the Manchester United deadline day signing make his European debut against Club Brugge on February 20.

"Ighalo is my big brother, I have so much love and admiration for him, I’m happy for everything he’s achieved and continue to, we are really close.

"I seek advice from him always and he responds to me immediately with a brotherly answer, he’s genuine and real and also has a good heart, he’s one of a kind,'' Osimhen concluded.

After matchday two of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, Osimhen is the joint leading scorer with three goals.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel