Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United could miss out on signing prolific striker Victor Osimhen (26) after the Nigerian was given the option to follow the money and join Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal and earn himself £791 666 (over US$1m ) per week including bonuses.
Osimhen who scored 26 goals and provided five assists in 30 games in the 2024/25 season on loan at Galatasaray in the Turkish Super Lig- on loan from Napoli, will cost the Saudi club €70m (£59m/$80m) although some reports say Napoli want €75m (£63m/$86m).
Osimhen has been on fire over the past two seasons, scoring a staggering 31 goals in all competitions in the 2022/23 season to fire Napoli to their first Serie A title in 33 years. Despite his performances the then new Napoli manager Antonio Conte signed Romelu Lukaku and opted to ship out Osimhen.
Napoli though created their own problems by offering Osimhen a huge new contract to keep the player at the club for one ore years while banking on cashing in on a huge release clause over £100m. No clubs triggered that clause and Napoli were stuck with a player on high wages.
Still, Osimhen’s performances created a demand for the striker but his wage demands ensured a move to Chelsea fell through last year. The likes of PSG, Manchester United and Arsenal have also been put off by his wage demands and have opted to pursue other targets who will not cost as much in terms of salary.
Al-Hilal meanwhile want Osimhen signed in time to play at the Club World Cup and a medical is being scheduled in time to make this happen. Whether he will sign given his stated desire to continue playing in Europe remains to be seen.