Rafiu Durosinmi’s Italian Dream: Victor Ikpeba Urges Viktoria Plzen to Ease Lazio Move
Nigerian forward Rafiu Durosinmi stands at a career crossroads as European giants circle for his signature. With Italian Serie A side Lazio reigniting their interest, former Super Eagles star Victor Ikpeba has thrown his weight behind the young striker’s potential move to Italy.
Durosinmi, currently dazzling for Czech club Viktoria Plzen, has caught the attention of top clubs across Europe following an impressive run in both the Czech First League and the UEFA Europa League. The 22-year-old Lagos-born talent has registered five goals and two assists in 12 appearances this season, cementing his status as one of the most exciting prospects in European football.
Speaking to Sportsblog247.com, Ikpeba, a former CAF Player of the Year, emphasized the significance of allowing young players to pursue their dreams when elite clubs come calling. He urged Viktoria Plzen to adopt a more accommodating approach to negotiations to facilitate Durosinmi’s transfer.
“We must respect Viktoria Plzen’s requests, as he is their player, but I think they should be more flexible for the sake of his career. Situations like this can break a player his age, as they sometimes feel betrayed by their club,” Ikpeba remarked.
Lazio, who initially showed interest in Durosinmi during the summer transfer window, have reportedly reopened talks with Viktoria Plzen over a potential four-year deal. However, the Czech club’s firm €4 million asking price remains a stumbling block. Turkish giants Besiktas are also monitoring the situation closely, adding more pressure to the ongoing negotiations.
Ikpeba believes a move to Lazio could be a defining moment for Durosinmi’s career. “It’s not every day that a club like Lazio knocks on your door. For a player, it’s a dream. In my opinion, he shouldn’t be denied this unique opportunity. He’s an exceptional talent who, if he joins Lazio, could blossom into a great player,” he added.
As interest continues to grow from other European clubs, including sides in England and Turkey, the coming weeks could prove decisive for Durosinmi. His future now hinges on Viktoria Plzen’s willingness to negotiate, with a potential move to Serie A promising to shape the next chapter of his career.