Victor Osimhen clears air on Eric Chelle's remarks amid transfer speculation
Nigeria star Victor Osimhen has dismissed growing speculation surrounding comments made by Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle, insisting there is no issue between him and the national team boss.
The controversy emerged in the aftermath of Nigeria’s successful Unity Cup campaign, which ended with a commanding 3-0 victory over Jamaica in the final at The Valley, Charlton, on Saturday.
Following the triumph, Chelle disclosed that Osimhen would not be part of the squad for the upcoming international friendlies against Poland and Portugal. The coach explained that the striker had been granted time to focus on matters relating to his club future during the international window.
The comments quickly triggered widespread debate among fans and sections of the media, with some questioning whether the forward’s absence was connected to concerns over his commitment to either club or country.
Osimhen has now moved to put those suggestions to rest.
The Galatasaray striker revealed that he personally contacted Chelle after the interview and clarified that the coach’s remarks had been misunderstood.
“I just got off the phone with coach Eric Chelle regarding the comments about me in his recent interview,” Osimhen wrote on his Instagram page.
“Unfortunately, his words have been taken out of context and blown out of proportion. He has great respect for Galatasaray, follows most of our games, and never intended to create any controversy.”
The 27-year-old also reaffirmed his commitment to the Super Eagles and expressed his admiration for the former Mali coach.
“I appreciate the conversation, the opportunity to represent my country, and I look forward to continuing to work with him.
“He is a great coach whom I respect a lot, and I kindly ask everyone to disregard the speculations surrounding this matter. Thank you for your consistent support.”
Osimhen heads into the break after another exceptional campaign with Galatasaray, where he played a pivotal role in helping the Turkish giants successfully defend their Super Lig crown following his permanent move to the club in the summer of 2025.
His prolific goalscoring form, and consistent performances have further strengthened his reputation as one of Europe’s most sought-after strikers, with several top clubs reportedly monitoring his situation.
Despite ending the debate over Chelle’s comments, uncertainty remains over where the Nigerian international will play next season.
Premier League giants Chelsea and Arsenal have been repeatedly linked with the former Napoli forward, while European heavyweights Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are also believed to be tracking his progress.
For now, however, Osimhen’s focus appears fixed on maintaining his impressive form and preparing for the next phase of a career that continues to attract attention across the football world.
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