Former Wolfsburg sporting director Jorg Schmadtke has admitted he regrets cashing in on Victor Osimhen too soon during his time at the club.

Osimhen arrived at the Bundesliga club after scoring 10 goals for Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets side that won the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2015.

The striker was allowed to join Belgian Pro League club Sporting Charleroi on loan after going 16 games without a goal at Wolfsburg.

At Sporting Charleroi, he started his development into a ruthless striker, netting 20 times in all competitions during the 2018/19 campaign.

The move was later made permanent, and Osimhen was on the move to Ligue 1 club Lille a few weeks later.

The 24-year-old spent just one season at Lille before linking up with Serie A outfit Napoli.

The Nigeria international is today rated as one of the best forwards in the world.

Schmadtke, who is on the verge of being appointed Liverpool sporting director, said he regretted the decision to sell the player.

Speaking to Kicker, he said: “It wasn’t a good move, in hindsight. When I came, he [Osimhen] was limping and running in circles.

“I was told that the strikers we had weren’t good enough. The most important lesson is that you have to be patient with some transfers.”