At a Glance
- Victor Osimhen’s $58 million Saudi offer sparks a transfer race involving eight European clubs.
- Champions League football remains decisive as Napoli, Galatasaray, and top clubs vie for the striker.
- Galatasaray seek a permanent deal after Osimhen’s stellar loan, facing stiff European competition.
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has ignited a fierce summer transfer battle, attracting interest from at least eight top European clubs.
Reports from transfer experts Valentin Furlan and Rudy Galetti reveal that football giants Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Paris Saint-Germain have already engaged Napoli in talks to assess the forward’s availability.
Meanwhile, Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia has made headlines with a staggering €50 million (approximately $58 million) annual salary proposal to sign Osimhen from Napoli.
This offer dwarfs previous bids and underscores the growing financial muscle of the Saudi Pro League in the global football market.
Saudi Al-Hilal’s blockbuster bid faces European resistance
Al-Hilal’s aggressive pursuit of Osimhen, including a prior €30 million ($34.8 million) bid which he rejected and activation of his €75 million ($86.9 million) release clause, highlights the Saudi club’s determination to secure the forward.
Initially, Al-Hilal aimed to incorporate Osimhen in their squad for the Club World Cup, despite the deadline passing, Simone Inzaghi’s team are still pushing to land Osimhen this summer, confident of swaying him.
Turkish transfer analyst Yagiz Sabuncuoglu confirmed the staggering €50 million ($57.9 million) offer now being routed to Osimhen’s camp, emphasizing the level of financial muscle behind Al-Hilal’s bid.
However, Rudy Galetti highlighted that Osimhen considers Champions League football a key factor in deciding his next transfer.
Champions League football key in Osimhen’s transfer decision
Osimhen’s preference for Champions League football continues to steer the transfer saga. Despite intense interest from Premier League and Serie A heavyweights—including Chelsea, Arsenal, Juventus, and AC Milan—eligibility for Europe’s premier competition is a critical factor in the striker’s decision-making process.
This criterion has reportedly cooled interest from clubs like Manchester United and AC Milan, who failed to qualify for next season’s Champions League, finishing 8th and 15th respectively in their domestic leagues.
Chelsea, having missed out on Osimhen in previous windows, are considering a renewed pursuit contingent on squad changes.
Transfer insider Rudy Galetti stressed that Champions League participation is a “key determinant” for Osimhen’s next club, underscoring the player’s ambition to compete at the highest level.
Galatasaray pushes for permanent deal after stellar loan
Osimhen’s standout loan spell at Turkish champions Galatasaray, where he helped secure a historic 25th Süper Lig title and a domestic double, has fueled hopes for a permanent move.
The Istanbul club remains in talks with Napoli but faces steep competition from Europe’s elite, who can offer Champions League football and higher wages.
With the transfer window officially open, the battle for Osimhen’s signature is expected to be one of the defining stories of the summer.
Europe’s biggest clubs are positioning aggressively to secure one of the most prolific and sought-after young forwards in world football.
