Victor Osimhen has once more turned down Saudi riches, rejecting Al-Hilal’s 90 million euro ($103 million) mega-offer to prioritize his European ambitions, leaving Galatasaray in pole place to land the Nigerian star in a fiercely aggressive summer time race.
According to switch news knowledgeable, Fabrizio Romano, Napoli and Al-Hilal had agreed to a 75 million euro deal, matching Osimhen’s launch clause, however the Super Eagles striker personally refused to hitch the 2024 Saudi Pro League champions, regardless of a jaw-dropping provide of 30 million euros per yr – roughly 890,000 euros per week over three seasons – plus bonuses.
Al-Hilal had gone all in, with new boss Simone Inzaghi even calling Osimhen immediately.
The membership, fueled by funds initially earmarked for a failed Mohamed Salah bid, had made Osimhen their prime goal for December’s FIFA Club World Cup conflict in opposition to Real Madrid.
But Osimhen wasn’t swayed. For him, cash isn’t the purpose – Champions League soccer is.
This isn’t the primary time he’s turned down Saudi advances.
In 2023, he rejected a 1.2 million euro-per-week tax-free package deal from Al-Hilal, and a separate transfer to Al-Ahli collapsed after Napoli raised the asking value final minute.
Osimhen’s agent, Roberto Calenda, has persistently reiterated the striker’s give attention to elite European competitors.
Galatasaray acquire momentum
Galatasaray – the place Osimhen has dazzled on mortgage with 37 objectives in 41 appearances – now sees a golden alternative.
The Turkish champions, recent off a home double, are pushing laborious to make the deal everlasting. Club president Dursun Özbek has lined up sponsorships to fund a four-year provide price 26 million euros yearly, with 21 million euros fastened and 5 million euros in bonuses.
The proposed switch price stands at 60-65 million euros, simply shy of Napoli’s demand.
Osimhen has informed Özbek he’s prepared to remain, moved by the membership’s ambition, Champions League standing, and unmatched fan assist. “The love here is something I’ve never felt,” he stated. “This is one of the biggest clubs in the world.”
Yet Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis stays a tricky negotiator.
Even final summer time, he dismissed a 140 million euro provide from Al-Hilal and infamously demanded 500 million euros.
For now, he’s holding agency on the 75 million euro clause.
Galatasaray’s means to bridge the 10-15 million euro hole stays unsure, particularly with one other Italian big, seemingly Juventus, lurking with a package deal able to match Osimhen’s wage calls for.
Meanwhile, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United are monitoring the state of affairs, however Napoli’s valuation and monetary honest play issues have cooled their curiosity.
Chelsea’s pursuit was as soon as intense, with membership legends Didier Drogba and John Obi Mikel personally calling Osimhen, however the deal fell by on each monetary and private fronts.
Al-Hilal’s failed pursuit displays a broader problem for the Saudi Pro League.
Despite attracting massive names like Neymar and Ruben Neves, convincing youthful stars like Osimhen – and Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes – has confirmed tougher. For now, the door to Saudi Arabia stays shut.
But because the Saudi window closes on June 10, the race is huge open.
Source: www.dailysabah.com