Osimhen: How Manchester United and Chelsea reported transfer target almost lost sight

FOOTBALL Osimhen: How Manchester United and Chelsea reported transfer target almost lost sight

Kiplagat Sang • 12:46 - 01.03.2023

The Nigerian suffered a serious head clash with an opponent in 2021.

Reported Manchester United and Chelsea target Victor Osimhen almost lost his sight following a serious clash of heads with Inter Milan’s Milan Skriniar.

The Super Eagles forward clashed with Skriniar at San Siro in November 2021 and suffered a serious injury that ruled him out for over two months.

Gianpaolo Tartaro, the surgeon who operated on Osimhen, revealed that the horror clash almost left the Nigerian blind. The Napoli striker continues to wear a protective mask after surgery that involved placing six plaques and 18 screws into his face to repair the damage.

"The orbital bone stopped just in time, because Osimhen could even have lost his sight," Tartaro told Radio CRC, as quoted by Football Italia.

"That bone could indeed have caused other problems, but fortunately some factors helped us and the eye was able to go back into its socket."

Although there are suggestions that the striker could need more surgery to remove the six plaques and 18 screws in future, Tartaro believes that is not necessary.

"The plaques do not need to be removed unless there is an urgent need, for example, if they develop an infection. The titanium could alter an X-ray, but I don’t think Osimhen wants them removed.

When we performed the surgery, we used the best quality plaques in the world and had to study very carefully where to place them, so there was protection should the player have to head the ball.

He seems to play even better than he did before, it gives him security. He has become world-class," Tartaro added.

The Nigerian star continues to wear the protective mask up to date despite the fact that technically, it is no longer required.

Osimhen has been in top form for Napoli this season and has netted 21 goals across all competitions. This has reportedly put him on the radar of top clubs including Manchester United and Chelsea.