Odemwingie Questions Ighalo’s Advice to Osimhen Over Saudi Move

Former Super Eagles striker Peter Osaze Odemwingie has criticised former Nigeria international Odion Ighalo for advising Victor Osimhen to leave European football for the Saudi Pro League.

Ighalo gave the advice in July 2025 when Osimhen was deciding where to continue his career after an impressive loan spell at Galatasaray.

At the time, Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal were ready to meet Napoli’s €75 million release clause for Osimhen and offer him a huge salary package.

Ighalo had advised Osimhen to spend two years in Saudi Arabia, secure his financial future and later return to European football.

However, Osimhen chose to remain in Europe. He joined Galatasaray permanently in July 2025 in a club-record €75 million transfer from Napoli.

Speaking with Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade on the Rash4Christ Podcast, Odemwingie questioned Ighalo’s advice.

“That is a defence mode, I’ll tell you straight away,” Odemwingie said.

“I’ll tell you straight away. It’s defence mode for the decision that he made; good for him, he chose money over European football when he could still play in Europe.”

Odemwingie also pointed to the difference between Ighalo’s situation and Osimhen’s at the time.

Ighalo moved from Watford to Chinese club Changchun Yatai in 2017 before later joining Shanghai Shenhua. His move to China did not stop him from returning to England, as Manchester United signed him on loan in January 2020 when he was 30.

Ighalo later played for several Saudi clubs, including Al-Shabab, Al-Hilal and Al-Wehda.

Odemwingie said Ighalo’s career path should not necessarily be used as a guide for a player who was still in his prime.

“But he knows his body, and what his body allows him to do,” Odemwingie continued.

“But when you’re in your prime physical condition, what are you going in a league to play for money?”

Ighalo’s advice was mainly based on financial security and the risks associated with a football career.

“My advice to him is to go to Saudi Arabia, play two years, make money and come back to Europe,” Ighalo said.

“I went to China to play for three years, and I came back to Europe to play for Manchester United, and even then, all odds were against me. I was 30 years old, coming back to England.”

Ighalo also reminded Osimhen that injuries can happen at any time and that footballers need to protect their financial future.

“Victor can play five more years in Europe if he wants, and remember, he had an injury that almost took his eyesight,” Ighalo said.

“God forbid that anything happens, he wouldn’t be able to play again, and that means the money he’s made, he’d have to start living on the money he’s already made.”

“We’re footballers; injuries can happen anytime. It’s what you have you’ll fall back to. I’m just giving my advice; I don’t wish him evil.”

Osimhen had enjoyed a strong 2024/25 season at Galatasaray, scoring 37 goals in 41 appearances in all competitions.

Despite Al-Hilal’s huge offer, the Nigerian striker chose to remain in European football.

He signed a four-year contract with Galatasaray until June 2029, with a reported guaranteed salary of €15 million net per season, plus bonuses and image-rights payments.

The transfer made Osimhen the most expensive signing in Turkish football history.

Al-Hilal later returned with another offer in the summer of 2026, but Galatasaray did not agree to the move.

Osimhen therefore continued his career in European football despite the much bigger financial package that had been proposed by the Saudi club.