Former Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has advised Nigeria international striker Victor Osimhen to remain in Europe to continue his career progression, rather than accept a lucrative move to the Saudi Pro League.
Rohr’s counsel comes amid growing speculation that Osimhen has agreed to join Saudi giants Al Hilal from Napoli.
The highly sought-after forward, who is currently under contract with Napoli and has a €75 million release clause, is expected to be sold this summer.
On loan at Galatasaray this past season, Osimhen played a key role in helping the Turkish side secure a domestic double—winning both the Süper Lig and the Turkish Cup.
But top Saudi Arabian journalist, Abdullah Al-Hunayan of Al-Riyadh, has reported that Al Hilal have reached “a definitive agreement” with Osimhen.
“The management of Al Hilal has reached a definitive agreement with Nigerian striker Osimhen to represent the club for the next three seasons,” the journalist posted on X
The three-year contract would reportedly fetch Osimhen an annual salary put between 30 and 45 Million Euros.
Should the deal pull through, Osimhen will be available for this month’s FIFA Club World Cup in the USA, where they will open their campaign against mighty Real Madrid on June 18.
Yet Rohr who gave Osimhen his break during his stint with the Super Eagles, has asked the 26-year-old striker not to jeopardize his bourgeoning football career on the altar of earning ‘stupendous riches’ in the oil-rich Saudi Arabia.
“Victor should stay in Europe in order to progress positively still, and not to run to Saudi Arabia” The Cheetahs of Benin coach told NationSport. “Going to Saudi Arabia should be towards the end of his career and not now.
“ Of course, this is a personal decision for Victor and I know Victor is very clever (to take the right decision).”
With a remarkable 37 goals across all competitions with Galatasaray this season, Osimhen has become one of the beautiful brides for many European top sides including Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and latest European champions, PSG among others.
But Rohr who had stint both as a player and coach with Bordeaux in the French Ligue 1 , believes PSG might be constrained now to sign ‘superstar’ after they won their Holy Grail of the UEFA Champions League last Sunday with a flattering 5-0 scoreline over Inter Milan.
“ I think after they have won the Champions League, PSG would like to continue with their collective team outlook and might not want to look for a superstar again, because Victor is now a star,” the wily-old coach who would mark his 72nd birthday on June 28, further said.
“ They (PSG) have lot of good young players now and they might not want to go for a big star like they did in the past with Messi, Neymar, Ibrahimovic .
“Now, they have seen that they can win everything with collective team work, they might not be interested in any big player like Osimhen,” Rohr noted.
