Nigerian international striker Victor Osimhen is reportedly resisting a move to Al Hilal, despite receiving an improved salary offer of €30 million (approximately ₦53 billion) per year from the Saudi Pro League club.
Earlier, Football Italia reported that Osimhen rejected an initial offer of €26 million (about ₦46 billion) annually on a three-year contract. However, other sources, including Sky Sports, claimed over the weekend that Napoli and the player had reached a formal agreement with Al Hilal.
Although Napoli initially turned down a €70 million bid, the Italian club reportedly accepted the deal once Al Hilal agreed to pay Osimhen’s €75 million release clause, which applies to clubs outside Serie A.
The Saudi club is said to be paying the release clause in three instalments. The decision to meet the full clause reportedly came after new head coach Simone Inzaghi urged the club to cover the additional €6–7 million needed to finalize the transfer, as they aim to have Osimhen join in time for the FIFA Club World Cup starting June 14.
“The Saudi giants, now coached by former Inter tactician Simone Inzaghi, had also offered an enormous €30m-per-season contract offer to the 26-year-old, who has since decided to reject the offer,” Football Italia reporter, Alfredo Pedullà, noted. “Osimhen’s rejection of the Al-Hilal offer is considered definitive.
“The player has expressed a desire to continue playing in Europe. It remains to be seen whether Galatasaray, where Osimhen spent the 2024-25 season, will return with another attempt to make the loan deal permanent,” he added.
The Napoli-owned centre-forward came up with a tally of 37 goals from 41 appearances across all competitions during his loan spell in Istanbul.
But Turkey-based journalist Onur Dincer, last night told NationSport that Galatasaray are equally expecting a final word from Osimhen despite offering half of what Al Hilal has tabled for the former FIFA U-17 World Cup winner.
“ Of course, Galatasaray are waiting for his (Osimhen) decision,” Dincer who is attached with Millyet Newspaper, told NationSport. “ Galatasaray offered him nearly N15 million euros , now he has to decide.”
Osimhen has been under contract with Napoli for the last five years, having joined in a €70m deal from Lille in 2020. He netted 65 goals from 108 Serie A appearances, and played a crucial role in helping Napoli to their first Serie A title in well over 30 years during the 2022-23 season.
However, after a tough season across the board in 2023-24, Osimhen was expected to be sold.
A permanent exit never materialised in the summer of 2024, and the Nigerian saw negotiations with both Chelsea and Al-Ahli collapse in spectacular fashion on deadline day last year.
That led to his joining Galatasaray on loan for the 2024-25 season, where he has since provided 37 goals from 41 matches in all competitions.
Now, still under contract with Napoli, the Nigerian is expected to be sold to Al-Hilal, who are now under the stewardship of head coach Inzaghi following his recent departure as head coach of Inter.
