Nigeria Players Abroad
Carlo Ancelotti reveals why Los Blancos chose not to sign Victor Osimhen
By Monsurah Olatunji
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has revealed the reasons behind the club’s decision not to pursue Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, despite widespread reports linking him to the Santiago Bernabéu.
Osimhen, who had an outstanding season winning the Serie A Golden Boot and leading Napoli to their first league title since 1990, was considered a potential replacement for Karim Benzema, who moved to Saudi Arabia.
However, Real Madrid ultimately chose not to make an offer for the Nigerian international, who then signed a contract extension with Napoli, including a €120 million release clause.
Despite this, Osimhen remains a hot commodity in the transfer market, attracting interest from Premier League clubs like Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United, as well as French champions PSG, especially since Kylian Mbappe’s move to Madrid.
In a recent interview, Ancelotti, a former Napoli manager, explained why Real Madrid opted not to sign the reigning African Player of the Year.
“We didn’t sign Osimhen because I think the club thought that Benzema’s absence could be remedied by purchasing Jude Bellingham,” Ancelotti told Radio Serie A.
This decision appears to have been a wise one, given the significant contributions made by the English midfielder, Bellingham, since joining the club.
