Essential Ndubuisi
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has declined a substantial €130m bid from Saudi side Al-Hilal for Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen. Al-Hilal, backed by the sovereign wealth fund PIF, made the lucrative offer in their pursuit of the talented forward.
Following an unsuccessful attempt to sign Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe, Al-Hilal turned their attention to Osimhen, who played a vital role in Napoli’s Serie A title-winning campaign last season.
However, Napoli swiftly rejected the bid, indicating their determination to retain Osimhen’s services during the summer transfer window. Instead, the Italian club is focusing on securing the striker’s future by negotiating a new long-term contract. Napoli values Osimhen at approximately €200m.
The 26-year-old forward made a significant impact in the Serie A last season, finishing as the league’s top scorer with an impressive 26 goals in just 32 appearances. His outstanding performance earned him the prestigious Golden Boot award, making him the first African player to achieve this feat in the league’s history.
The Saudi Pro League has seen an influx of players from Europe this summer, following in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo, who made his move in December 2022.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings