'Has Mr Good character found a club?’ — Fans compare Osimhen and Lookman ahead of deadline day

Bayern Munich have agreed a sensational deal with Chelsea for striker Nicolas Jackson, in what is set to become one of the most expensive loan moves in football history.

Pulse Sports earlier reported Bayern will pay around €15 million (£13m) for a one-year loan, with an option to buy for €65-80 million depending on conditions.

Chelsea, who signed Jackson from Villarreal for £32 million in 2023, stand to make a huge profit if the deal is triggered.

The agreement gives Bayern a versatile attacking option behind Harry Kane, while also easing Chelsea’s squad and wage pressure. 

For context, most loan fees rarely exceed €5-10 million, making this a headline move that has raised eyebrows across Europe.

But while the financials grabbed headlines, the online conversation quickly shifted in another direction. 

On X, a user named @barigabreed quoted Fabrizio Romano’s “here we go” update confirming Nicolas Jackson’s Bayern Munich loan. 

The post shifted Jackson’s loan move in a very different conversation.

“A certain former African Footballer of the Year couldn’t even get a top club to sign him. His friends were even playing the black card. No top club will sign you if you have a terrible character as a footballer. You just good for your pocket, he no concern anybody. Better change,” @barigabreed wrote.

While the user did not explicitly name anyone, fans were quick to connect the dots. 

The message cut deep as Victor Osimhen’s name arose in the comments section with fans debating back and forth on the post.

Osimhen, who was crowned CAF Men's Player of the Year in 2023, has had his share of public spats, including a well-documented fallout with his former club Napoli over a social media video, as well as a public rift with former Super Eagles legend and former national team coach Finidi George.

However, the conversation deepened when an influencer, @itzbasito, fired back with a pointed response, disagreeing with the character narrative:

“Has Ademola Lookman, the current African Best Player with good character, found a club?”

That reply reframed the debate, contrasting the fortunes of the two Super Eagles stars Osimhen with Lookman, ahead of the summer transfer deadline day.

Victor Osimhen, who recently sealed a record €75 million move from Napoli to Galatasaray, has long been praised for his goal-scoring record but equally scrutinised for what some perceive to be a ‘fiery’ personality off the pitch.

Regardless, the 26-year-old goal machine went down as the biggest signing in Turkish football history this summer.

Meanwhile, Ademola Lookman has received plaudits for his professionalism and humility since winning the CAF Player of the Year in 2024. 

The Atalanta forward has been at the centre of his own transfer storm.

Lookman has been pushing for a move away from Atalanta, even going on an unauthorised two-week absence and deleting club-related posts from his social media. 

However, Nigerian fans appear to have found themselves split on the debate: is football really about character, or is it about output on the pitch?

Lookman’s stock has never been higher. 

While Lookman's agents are actively searching for a solution, his future is far from certain.

The 27-year-old scored 15 Serie A goals last season for Atalanta and was central to their Europa League triumph. 

Reports in Italy suggest Lookman has grown unsettled and would consider a move, but no concrete offers have materialised. 

Lookman is still an Atalanta player, but his relationship with the club appears strained. 

Atalanta's chief executive has stated that the club would only let him leave for a non-Italian club, and they are holding firm on their valuation, which is reported to be around €55 million (£43 million).