I used to search rubbish dumps for trainers and sell water on the streets but am now set for dream transfer to Arsenal | The Sun

VICTOR OSIMHEN used to sell water on the streets of Lagos but he is now one of the most in-demand strikers in the world.

He has been prolific for Napoli this season with 19 goals in 21 games, helping his side build a 15-point lead at the top of Serie A.

The 24-year-old has attracted interest from Manchester United but it is believed Arsenal are now leading the race for his signature.

For Osimhen it has been quite a journey to the top after losing his mother as a young child.

The striker revealed he and his siblings worked together to make ends meet after she passed away, as his dad also lost his job shortly after.

In 2019 he told France Football: "Where I grew up, people live on the other side of an open dump.

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"With my friends, we went there every Friday or Sunday to find shoes. We stayed there a long time. It was funny! We saw it as a game but when you think about it … It was always a fight.

"Sometimes you see, you found yourself with a Nike on the right foot and then you start looking for the other foot … And finally, you find the left foot and it’s a Reebok! My sister patched everything up and it was good. It was survival.

"I lost my mom in October, I do not even remember the year. I was small. Three months later, my father lost his job. It was very hard for our family.

"My brother sold sports newspapers, my sister (sold) oranges in the street and me, bottled water in Lagos in the middle of the traffic.

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"We had to survive so we stuck together. In the evening, we were all together and we gathered the money on the table. We gave everything to our big sister and she made food and organised everything.

"When I signed in Wolfsburg, I didn't buy anything for myself with my bonus. I immediately bought a house in Lagos for my father.

"I gave money to my brothers and sisters, and today, everyone is okay in their businesses. It makes me happy to know that they have enough to eat.

"They always help me and it is normal I want to change their lives."

Osimhen, who also lost his father in 2020, recently shared his dream is to play in the Premier League, but Napoli will not let him go easily.

The Italian club will reportedly demand £133million for the Nigerian, with Chelsea also said to be in the running to sign the striker.

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