Victor Osimhen, the Nigerian international striker, is reportedly resisting a move to Al Hilal after declining an improved annual salary of €30 million (around N53 billion) from the Saudi Pro League club.
While Football Italia has stated that Osimhen rejected the club’s initial offer of €26 million (approximately N46 billion) per year for a three-year contract, other reports, including those from Sky Sports, indicate an agreement had been reached between Napoli and the player.
Notably, Napoli previously dismissed Al Hilal’s €70 million offer but eventually settled for a deal worth €75 million after the Saudi club agreed to meet the full release clause applicable for transfers outside Serie A.
Al Hilal has been striving to secure Osimhen’s services ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup, which begins on June 14. They proposed to pay the €75 million fee in three instalments, following a request from new head coach Simone Inzaghi for an additional €6-€7 million to facilitate the deal after their initial bid was rejected.
“Osimhen’s rejection of the Al Hilal offer is viewed as final,” noted Football Italia reporter Alfredo Pedullà. “The player has expressed a desire to remain in Europe. It’s uncertain if Galatasaray, where he spent the 2024-25 season, will make a renewed effort to secure a permanent transfer.”
During his loan spell in Turkey, the Napoli striker netted 37 goals from 41 games across all competitions. Onur Dincer, a journalist based in Turkey, mentioned that Galatasaray is also looking for a final decision from Osimhen, despite offering him half of Al Hilal’s proposal.
“Galatasaray is certainly waiting for his choice,” Dincer shared with NationSport. “They have proposed nearly €15 million, and now he must make a decision.”
Osimhen has been contracted to Napoli for five years since joining from Lille for €70 million in 2020, scoring 65 goals in 108 Serie A matches and significantly contributing to Napoli’s first Serie A title in over three decades during the 2022-23 season.
However, after a difficult season in 2023-24, a transfer was expected. A permanent exit never came to fruition during the summer of 2024, with negotiations with Chelsea and Al-Ahli collapsing dramatically on deadline day. This resulted in his loan to Galatasaray for the 2024-25 season, where he has since scored 37 goals from 41 matches.
Now, still bound to Napoli, Osimhen is anticipated to be sold to Al Hilal, who are currently under the management of Inzaghi following his recent departure from Inter.
