Al-Hilal face setback in pursuit of Victor Osimhen after Galatasaray response

Galatasaray have rejected the prospect of negotiating over Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen, despite Al-Hilal’s efforts to sign him during the current summer transfer window.

The Saudi Pro League club are seeking to strengthen their attack before the start of the new season and have identified Osimhen as a major target. However, Galatasaray are not prepared to give Al-Hilal an opening to discuss a possible transfer at this stage.

The approach comes amid uncertainty over the future of Al-Hilal forward Karim Benzema. Recent reports have claimed the France striker asked his agent to explore offers from clubs outside Saudi Arabia as he considers whether to bring his time with Al-Hilal to an end.

Benzema would reportedly be open to leaving if he found a project that suited him. Al-Hilal’s management are also not believed to be insisting that he remains at the club, although they would require a suitable financial offer before agreeing to his departure.

No proposal that meets those conditions has arrived so far. Nevertheless, the possibility of Benzema leaving has encouraged Al-Hilal to examine high-profile alternatives for their forward line, with Osimhen emerging as their preferred target.

German journalist Florian Plettenberg, of Sky, reported that Galatasaray received a €130m offer for Osimhen on Wednesday through an intermediary working on behalf of Al-Hilal.

Plettenberg said on his official X account that the proposal was made verbally. He added that Galatasaray do not want to negotiate at this stage and have no intention of entering talks over the move.

The Turkish club’s position effectively closes the door on immediate discussions, even though Al-Hilal have demonstrated the scale of their interest with an offer worth €130m.

Osimhen is therefore at the centre of Al-Hilal’s attacking plans as they prepare for the new campaign, but Galatasaray’s refusal to negotiate means the Saudi club’s pursuit faces a significant obstacle.

The situation is also linked to the uncertainty surrounding Benzema. Al-Hilal are considering a major attacking signing in anticipation of a possible departure, while the club’s position remains that any agreement involving the Frenchman must protect its financial interests.

For now, however, Galatasaray have chosen not to engage with Al-Hilal over Osimhen, leaving the proposed transfer at the stage of a verbal approach rather than formal negotiations.