Napoli are nearing a deal with Saudi Pro League club Al Ahli to transfer Victor Osimhen for over €65 million, although the striker hasn’t yet agreed to the move.
Osimhen, a standout for Napoli since leading them to the Serie A title in the 2022/23 season with 26 goals, has become one of Europe’s most coveted forwards. Last season, he added 15 more goals to his tally and signed a contract extension in 2023 that included a €130 million release clause. However, tensions have arisen between Osimhen and Napoli, partly due to issues on social media, and the 25-year-old is now eager to leave.
Arsenal, along with Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, reportedly rekindled their interest in Osimhen, and a Napoli official recently confirmed that they are actively working on his departure.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Napoli is close to finalizing an agreement with Al Ahli for a €65 million transfer, which would make Osimhen one of the Saudi Pro League’s most high-profile signings this summer, joining the likes of Moussa Diaby, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Nacho Fernandez.
Victor Osimhen has yet to approve the transfer. The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations runner-up reportedly seeks a significant salary and wants a release clause included in his contract. Some sources also suggest he prefers to stay in Europe.
Osimhen’s agent, Roberto Calenda, indicated that a move to Saudi Arabia isn’t on the striker’s agenda.
“Osimhen is a Napoli player, with a contract recently renewed with mutual satisfaction,” he wrote on social media. “He made history and when there were major offers (also this year) we always accepted the club’s decisions.
“As I said, it is not a package to be shipped far away to make room for new prophets. Victor was elected African footballer of the year, eighth at the Ballon d’Or, he still has so much to do in Europe. There is need [for] respect and balance.”
Napoli initially demanded a hefty transfer fee in talks with interested clubs, but their asking price has reportedly decreased. Osimhen has not played in either of Napoli’s first two Serie A games this season.
Chelsea has already signed Omari Kellyman, Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Guiu, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Renato Veiga, Caleb Wiley, Pedro Neto, and Joao Felix this summer. Meanwhile, Arsenal has added David Raya and Riccardo Calafiori to their squad, with Euro 2024 winner Mikel Merino soon joining them at the Emirates Stadium.
