Saudi giants Al Hilal make African transfer record bid for Super Eagles star

Saudi Arabia giants Al-Hilal have returned with a huge purse and are ready to meet Napoli’s financial demands for Victor Osimhen, Soccernet.ng understands.

Three clubs – Chelsea, PSG, and Al-Hilal – are the three biggest clubs still in the race to sign Osimhen this summer, as Arsenal’s interest has cooled over the past few days.

Chelsea, though, are not ready to cough out any astronomical fees for the Nigerian bomber, with the Stamford Bridge giants more inclined towards a player-plus-cash swap deal. However, despite Napoli’s admiration for Chelsea’s Lukaku, the Italians are not keen on the Blues’ offer.

PSG, though, have cash to spend, as the French champions are looking to make a marquee signing following the departure of Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid.

But the Parisians are yet to reach an agreement with Napoli, who want to enter negotiations only with a club willing to meet the €130 million release clause in the contract Osimhen signed in December. PSG are reportedly asking Napoli for a discount, with a view to getting the deal done for €90 to €100 million.

This puts Al-Hilal in pole position to snatch Osimhen.

According to today’s Repubblica newspaper (as per Tutto Napoli), the Saudi Arabian giants are ready to table an offer that meets Napoli’s valuation of Osimhen.

Should Osimhen say yes to Al-Hilal’s offer, the 25-year-old could be on his way out of Europe heading to the Middle East in the coming days.

Osimhen’s agent Roberto Calenda is expected to meet with Napoli’s President, Aurelio De Laurentiis, and present the offer to him.

If accepted, Al-Hilal’s €130 million bid will be a new African transfer record, breaking the €86 million mark that Osimhen reached when moving from LOSC Lille to Napoli four years ago.

Napoli are ready to shake hands with Al-Hilal and get the deal done but Osimhen has a decision to make. The Nigerian forward dreams of playing in the English Premier League.

NB: Should Osimhen accept the offer and leave Europe for Saudi Arabia? Leave your answers in the comment section below.