Victor Osimhen’s transfer tango has been unfolding like an epic movie, with several top clubs vying for his signature. Napoli is playing a clever game, deploying ingenious tactics to safeguard their investment in the player while attracting the highest bidder. The Nigerian striker reportedly turned down a lucrative offer from Al Hilal despite their willingness to pay his €75 million release clause. Borrowing from a Nigerian street,
phrase, “E get why?”
Top European clubs are making a strong push to get him. Real Madrid see him as a top target, with new manager Xabi Alonso looking to reshape the club’s attacking lineup. Liverpool are also quietly accelerating their pursuit, identifying Osimhen as a key upgrade over Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota. Other top clubs like PSG, Juventus, and Manchester United are rekindling their interest in Osimhen after the Saudi deal fell through.
Galatasaray, where Osimhen spent the 2024/2025 season on loan, has offered him a €3 million annual pay rise and a contract worth €15 million per year. The club’s president, Dursun Ozbek, has confirmed that negotiations with Osimhen are ongoing.
The cancellation of the press conference to announce his new move was likely due to ongoing negotiations with interested clubs. The striker’s preference has always been to play in Europe. When contacted, Osimhen said, “Soon you will know why, please just bear with me.”
Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis aims to maximize profits from Victor Osimhen’s transfer, valuing him at €130 million initially and adjusting the price to €75 million and €65 million for Saudi clubs. This stance is frustrating Osimhen’s potential move to European clubs, as they would need to pay a premium on top of his already high release clause.
simhen’s impressive performance on loan at Galatasaray, scoring 37 goals and providing eight assists in 41 appearances, has caught many European coaches’ attention. His physical strength, intelligent movement, and efficiency in front of goal make him an attractive prospect. Osimhen’s agent, Roberto Calenda, emphasizes that “the player is more than just a commodity to be sold,” highlighting Osimhen’s talent and value beyond financial gain. De Laurentiis’ mixed signals leave Osimhen’s future uncertain.
culled from Nigerian Falcons.
