ESPN Ranks Osimhen Among Top 10 Strikers

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has been ranked ninth among the world’s best strikers by ESPN, highlighting his consistent performances for Galatasaray and Nigeria in recent seasons.

Osimhen has established himself as one of the leading forwards in Turkish football, helping Galatasaray secure consecutive Turkish Super Lig titles. He won the league’s Golden Boot in his first season with the club, while injury concerns and international commitments limited him to 19 league starts last season, in which he scored 15 goals.

Despite his reduced appearances, the Nigerian forward continues to attract interest from several major European clubs, including Real Madrid, Barcelona, Arsenal and Manchester United.

ESPN placed Osimhen ninth on its ranking, one position ahead of Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike and two places behind Chelsea forward Joao Pedro, who was ranked seventh.

Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane topped the list, ahead of Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe and Manchester City’s Erling Haaland.

ESPN highlighted Osimhen’s ability to consistently create shooting opportunities and put pressure on opposing defences through his pace, movement and physical strength.

The Nigerian has averaged at least four shots per 90 minutes in each of the last five seasons, underlining his attacking consistency.

His Champions League performances were also singled out for praise. Osimhen scored seven goals in the competition last season, his highest tally in a single Champions League campaign.

His goals helped Galatasaray secure notable victories over Liverpool and Juventus, performances ESPN viewed as evidence that his goalscoring ability in Turkey can translate effectively to the highest level of European football.

Meanwhile, former Tottenham and Belgium defender Toby Alderweireld has urged Spurs to prioritise a move for Osimhen ahead of Arsenal and other interested clubs.

Alderweireld believes the Nigerian could address Tottenham’s lack of goals and provide the proven attacking threat the club needs.

“Spurs could use a striker like Victor Osimhen; they need his goals because it’s what they lacked last season as well,” Alderweireld said.

He acknowledged that some clubs could have concerns about Osimhen’s age, but argued that experienced players can still provide an important balance within a squad.

Tottenham have already spent heavily this summer, including £185m on Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali, while also signing several other players.

The London club are nevertheless continuing to search for an established striker, with Osimhen potentially among their preferred targets.