‘When Juventus Calls You, No Matter What, You Have to Sit Down and Listen’

Victor Osimhen has admitted Juventus once tried to lure him away from Napoli, before his eventual move to Galatasaray, where he has quickly become a key figure.

Speaking about his career path, the Nigerian striker confirmed that Juve sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli personally called him before negotiations with Galatasaray began.

‘Yes, just as today I could be in two other top Serie A clubs. Before negotiations with Galatasaray began, Giuntoli called me to bring me to Juve. I spoke to a couple of people at the club, they showed me interest but I knew that he (De Laurentiis) would not let me leave.

‘In any case, the interest was there. And when Juve calls you, no matter what, you have to sit down and listen,’ Osimhen said.

Ultimately, Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis blocked any possibility of a transfer, keeping Osimhen in Italy until his eventual switch to Turkey.

Now at Galatasaray, he has continued to deliver decisive performances, most recently providing two assists in their stunning 5-2 demolition of Juventus in the Champions League play-off first leg at Rams Park in Istanbul.

That victory was Galatasaray’s biggest ever in the competition and put them on the brink of becoming the first Turkish side to reach the round of 16 since 2014.