Napoli striker Victor Osimhen appears closer than ever to leaving the Italian club this summer, with new offers from both Saudi Arabia and Chelsea adding fresh intrigue to the transfer saga. The Nigerian international, who has attracted significant interest from several clubs, is reportedly considering a lucrative move to the Saudi Pro League, while Chelsea have also re-entered the race with a substantial bid.
Al Ahli, a Saudi club keen on securing the 25-year-old’s signature, has returned with a revised offer after their initial bid was rejected.
While details of this new proposal have not been disclosed, it is believed to be an improvement on the original offer, which was reported to be between €65 million and €70 million.
Osimhen, who had previously expressed a desire to play in the Premier League or Ligue 1, is now said to be open to the idea of moving to Saudi Arabia, provided his financial demands are met, including a clause allowing him to return to Europe in 2025.
Chelsea, meanwhile, has responded to Al Ahli’s renewed interest by submitting their own offer, reportedly worth €70 million, which matches the Nigerian’s current salary at Napoli.
The London club initially proposed a loan deal, which was swiftly rejected by Napoli’s president, Aurelio De Laurentiis.
However, Chelsea’s latest bid has heightened the competition, with the Blues hoping to convince Osimhen to move to Stamford Bridge.
The situation is complicated further by Paris Saint-Germain’s ongoing frustration with Napoli.
PSG, under the leadership of Nasser Al-Khelaifi, had made an €80 million offer earlier this summer, only to see it rejected by De Laurentiis, who insisted on the activation of the €130 million release clause in Osimhen’s contract. This refusal led to a breakdown in negotiations between the two clubs.
PSG is reportedly unhappy with the recent developments, particularly given that Napoli appears willing to engage in discussions with other clubs for a lower fee.
A meeting was held at PSG headquarters earlier this week to assess the situation as the transfer window nears its conclusion.
While the outcome of this meeting remains undisclosed, it is clear that the French club is puzzled by Napoli’s stance and their refusal to negotiate for less than the release clause.
Osimhen, who was a top target for PSG’s sporting director Luis Campos, might not fit the profile preferred by current coach Luis Enrique, adding another layer of complexity to the potential deal.
Whether PSG will choose to re-enter the bidding war remains uncertain, but their interest in the striker could intensify in the coming days.
As the transfer window edges closer to its deadline, the future of Victor Osimhen remains in the balance.
With Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli, Chelsea, and potentially PSG all vying for his services, the final decision could shape the careers of the player and the fortunes of the clubs involved.
