Victor Osimhen rejected the chance to join Manchester United this summer out of respect for Odion Ighalo, according to the forward’s brother.
Osimhen, 21, was linked with a host of Premier League clubs after a fine season with Lille in France, eventually joining Napoli in July.
Osimhen’s brother Andrew claims United were eager to bring him to Old Trafford but explained the close relationship between the two Nigeria forwards meant the move was a no-go.
“It is very true that Manchester United wanted Victor but he told me something like he had too much respect for Odion Ighalo to be competing for shirts with his senior colleague,” Andrew told Complete Sports.
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“My brother holds Ighalo in high esteem and he just didn’t see himself going to Old Trafford to battle for a striking role with the highest goalscorer at the 2019 AFCON in Egypt.”
Ighalo agreed a loan extension with United and will remain at the club until the end of January next year.