Goals and more goals have shot Victor Osimhen to the top of the money tree – from Wolfsburg splashing four million Euros for him in 2016 to Napoli forking out 50 million Euros to make him the most expensive Nigeria football star ever.
SCORENigeria draws out the cost and timelines of his various transfers –
4 million Euros, 2016 – German Bundesliga club Wolfsburg put up four million Euros to beat several of Europe’s top clubs to sign Osimhen after he netted a record 10 goals to emerge top scorer of the 2015 FIFA U17 World Cup in Chile.
This was a record fee for a player straight from Nigeria.
However, injuries and failure to break into the first-team of the German club forced Osimhen out on loan.
3.5 million Euros, 2019 – Sporting Charleroi took a big risk by taking Osimhen on loan from Wolfsburg after two other Belgian clubs passed on the chance. It was a gamble that paid off big time after he scored 21 goals in all competitions and Charleroi subsequently took up the option to buy him permanently for a bargain 3.5 million Euros.
14 million Euros, 2019 – Charleroi made an immediate profit on Osimhen’s transfer when they then sold him to Lille for 14 million Euros while inserting a clause that will see them get 15% of a subsequent transfer fee.
60 million Euros, 2020 – This transfer crowns Osimhen as the most expensive Nigerian player ever ahead of Alex Iwobi, whose move to Everton from Arsenal last year reportedly cost about 30 million pounds. Lille are expected to pocket more cash in add-ons.
A couple of seasons filled with goals at Napoli will most certainly push another big club in a bigger league to table a blank cheque for Osimhen.