REVEALED: How Saudi side Al-Hilal missed out on signing Nigerian superstar Victor Osimhen

Saudi player agent Mishaal Al-Safai has revealed intriguing details about the negotiations that ultimately prevented Al Hilal from signing Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen and Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes during last summer’s transfer window.

According to Al-Safai, the Saudi giants made serious attempts to secure both players, but the deals collapsed for different reasons. Osimhen eventually moved from Napoli to Galatasaray, while Fernandes chose to remain at Manchester United despite strong interest from the Saudi club.

Speaking to the Saudi newspaper Al-Wiam, Al-Safai explained how contact was first established with the Nigerian forward.

“One of our office representatives in London contacted Ousemin through one of his friends, before I contacted him personally afterwards.”

He suggested that the negotiations quickly became complicated due to the striker’s salary demands.

“From the first call with the player, I knew that he would not join (Al-Hilal), as he started the call by asking for a certain salary, and after 7 or 8 minutes he asked for an increase in the amount, and then he increased it again at the end of the call.”

Al-Safai noted that the situation made it difficult to reach an agreement, particularly because the player was not represented by a formal agent during the discussions.

“You can’t make a deal with a player like this, especially since he doesn’t have an agent. He spoke on his own or through one of his friends. Al-Hilal tried as much as possible, but the deal didn’t go through.”

He also shed light on the negotiations involving Bruno Fernandes, revealing that the Portuguese midfielder had initially been open to a move to Saudi Arabia.

“We offered the player to Al-Hilal, especially since we negotiated with him last summer, and we held a meeting in Saudi Arabia, and he was willing to move.”

However, Manchester United reportedly refused to sanction the transfer despite multiple improved offers from Al Hilal.

“Manchester United refused to let Bruno Fernandes leave, but Al-Hilal raised their offer a second and third time, but the player himself refused to leave after that, after the English club’s fans chanted his name and asked him to stay.”

Al-Safai added that Al Hilal made another attempt to sign the midfielder during the Club World Cup period, presenting a lucrative proposal once again.

“Al-Hilal contacted him again during the Club World Cup and offered him a large sum, but he refused to leave and preferred to stay with Manchester United.”

The revelations provide a rare glimpse into the negotiations behind two high-profile transfer pursuits that ultimately slipped away from the Saudi club.