'Fantastic striker' - Ajax legend Frank de Boer surprised no Premier League club signed Osimhen

Five-time Eredivisie winner with Ajax Amsterdam in the 1990s and legendary Netherlands centre-back Frank de Boer has admitted he was surprised that English Premier League clubs missed out on the services of Victor Osimhen before the former Napoli striker completed a permanent transfer to Galatasaray.

The Super Eagles star spent last season on loan at the Istanbul club, scoring a career-best 37 goals in a single season to help Galatasaray clinch both the Super Lig and the Turkish Cup.

Osimhen holds the record as the fastest Galatasaray goalscorer in UEFA Champions League history, following his early strike against Bodo/Glimt. 

He also became the first Galatasaray player to score in seven consecutive European matches when he found the net in the third minute of the matchday three fixture against Bodo/Glimt.

Osimhen had previously been linked with Chelsea and Manchester United, but the Premier League clubs balked at his asking price, with Napoli valuing him at €75 million, alongside significant wage demands.

Speaking to Ajax's official website, Frank de Boer said: "Turkey, as a football nation, is a sleeping giant. It’s a large country with plenty of financial resources. 

"There are many good players there, that's for sure. But money sometimes gets thrown around, especially when a club president wants to be elected or re-elected. 

"It’s remarkable that Osimhen is playing in Turkey and that no English club managed to lure him away. 

"You have to respect that choice, he’s a fantastic striker."

Osimhen's transfer to Galatasaray set a record as the highest fee ever paid for a player moving to the Super Lig.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com