Al Ahli has made an initial bid to Napoli for striker Victor Osimhen, offering a package valued at over €65 million. While Napoli is open to negotiating the transfer, a deal is yet to be finalized due to ongoing discussions between Osimhen and Al Ahli.
Despite the advanced stage of negotiations between Napoli and Al Ahli, with only minor details pending, there has been no agreement between Osimhen and the Saudi Arabian club. The Nigerian striker has expressed a desire for a significant salary increase and insists on having a release clause included in any potential contract. Osimhen’s agent, Calenda, emphasized that the player is not keen on relocating to Al Ahli and remains focused on his career in Europe. He highlighted Osimhen’s recent achievements and the importance of respecting his current standing.
Calenda stated, “Victor is not a package to be shipped far away to make room for new prophets. He still has so much to do in Europe. Osimhen is a Napoli player, with a contract recently renewed to mutual satisfaction. He made history and when there were major offers, we always accepted the club’s decisions. Victor was elected African footballer of the year and was 8th in the Ballon d’Or rankings. There is a need for respect and balance.”
The key issue in the negotiations with Al Ahli is the inclusion of a release clause, which Osimhen views as crucial. Without it, the deal is unlikely to proceed.
On the other hand, Chelsea remains a potential destination for Osimhen. As the transfer window approaches its final days, Chelsea is prioritizing the acquisition of a striker, with Osimhen still under consideration. Recent discussions between Chelsea and Napoli have made some progress regarding the deal’s structure. However, Chelsea has yet to commit fully and will only proceed if the terms become more favorable.
Chelsea is prepared to make Osimhen one of their top earners, though any potential contract would need to fit within their wage structure, which could involve a lower base salary during non-Champions League seasons.
