In a candid piece of advice drawn from his own career journey, former Super Eagles star Odion Ighalo has encouraged Nigerian goal machine Victor Osimhen to swap European glamour for Saudi riches—at least for now.

Osimhen, fresh off a record-breaking season where he smashed in 37 goals in 41 games during his loan stint, finds himself at a career crossroads. Napoli have already slammed the door on a hefty €75 million offer from Turkish giants Galatasaray, leaving Osimhen’s next destination a hot topic across the footballing world.

But while fans debate potential suitors in England, Spain, or Turkey, Ighalo offers a different playbook: follow the money trail to the Middle East.

“My advice to Victor Osimhen is simple—go to Saudi Arabia for two years, secure the bag, then come back to Europe,” Ighalo revealed in a chat with Echo Room.

Speaking from experience, Ighalo reflected on his own unconventional route. After a lucrative spell in China, many wrote him off—until a fairytale return to Europe saw him don the iconic red of Manchester United at age 30.

“I was 30, written off, yet I got to play for Manchester United. Victor is just 26—after two years in Saudi, he’ll only be 28, with plenty of top-level years left,” Ighalo explained.

The message is clear: cash in now, return a hero later.

With the Saudi Pro League offering eye-watering contracts and a rapidly rising profile, Ighalo’s advice echoes a growing trend among elite players chasing both legacy and financial freedom.