Is Victor Osimhen about to trade Serie A for Saudi Arabia? The transfer news world is abuzz as Al Hilal have reportedly tabled a significantly improved offer to lure Napoli’s star striker Victor Osimhen. In a dramatic twist, even Galatasaray made a late push to keep the Nigerian marksman in Europe – but the Saudi giants aren’t taking no for an answer. The stage is set for a high-stakes transfer showdown, and all eyes are on Osimhen’s next move.
Victor Osimhen, Al Hilal: Saudi Club Raises the Stakes
Al Hilal have now upped the ante in their pursuit of Victor Osimhen, making it clear they’re willing to break the bank for his signature. Renowned transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealed that “Al Hilal have now improved their proposal to Victor Osimhen and Napoli to try reach an agreement soon” napolicalcionews.it. This improved bid is reportedly over €70 million – a substantial increase aimed at convincing Napoli’s president Aurelio De Laurentiis to part with his prized striker.
For context, Napoli had already rebuffed an initial €65 million offer from Al Hilal football-italia.net. The Italian club has been adamant that any deal meet their valuation, which is roughly €75 million, mirroring a release clause figure in Osimhen’s contract. By raising their offer into the €70m+ range, Al Hilal are inching very close to that mark. They’re not just boosting the transfer fee, either – the Saudi side has sweetened the personal terms on the table as well, offering Osimhen a significantly higher salary to entice him
According to Sky Sport’s Gianluca Di Marzio, this aggressive approach is paying off on the player’s side. Osimhen has agreed in principle to Al Hilal’s contract offer, indicating he’s open to the move. The 24-year-old would reportedly become one of the best-paid players in the world with this deal, earning a salary in the region of €30 million (or more) per year – a life-changing sum. Al Hilal’s coach, Simone Inzaghi, is said to have been personally pushing to bring the Nigerian to Riyadh, highlighting how central Osimhen is to the club’s plans.
However, one hurdle remains: the final agreement between the clubs. As of now, there is still a gap of around €5 million between Napoli’s asking price and Al Hilal’s offer. Napoli continue to insist on receiving the full €75m (reportedly the value of Osimhen’s foreign release clause), while Al Hilal’s latest bid has reached €70m. Given the minimal difference, optimism is growing that a compromise will be found soon. “They’re really just one step away,” one source said confidently, suggesting it’s now a matter of when, not if, the deal gets over the line.
Galatasaray’s Last-Ditch Push to Keep Osimhen
Adding intrigue to this transfer saga, Galatasaray – the Turkish champions – have not given up easily on Osimhen. In fact, Osimhen spent the 2024/25 season on loan in Istanbul, and he quickly became a fan favorite with his performances. He scored crucial goals for Galatasaray and helped them in domestic and European matches, leaving a strong impression. Buoyed by that successful stint, Galatasaray have been pushing in the last 24 hours to retain the Nigerian striker’s services, whether through another loan or a permanent deal. Romano noted that “Galatasaray have been pushing in the last 24h, but Al Hilal keep insisting with [the] improved proposal”
In other words, the Turkish side made a spirited last-ditch attempt to convince Osimhen to stay in Europe, likely hoping his positive experience at the club and the promise of Champions League football might sway him. Galatasaray’s ambition here underlines how highly they rate Osimhen – he was seen as a potential marquee signing to spearhead their attack long-term. However, financially they simply cannot match the firepower of Al Hilal’s bid. Galatasaray’s proposal, while serious, was always going to be dwarfed by the Saudi offer in terms of both transfer fee and player salary.
Faced with Al Hilal’s staggering package, Galatasaray’s hopes appear to be fading. The Turkish giants have effectively been outbid and outmuscled in this race. Still, their involvement did serve one purpose: it forced Al Hilal to act swiftly and aggressively. Knowing another club was in the mix, Al Hilal moved to seal the deal by improving terms for both Napoli and Osimhen. It’s a classic transfer tug-of-war, but one where money talks the loudest – and Al Hilal have plenty of it.
Napoli’s Dilemma and Osimhen’s Future
For Napoli, this situation presents a tricky dilemma. On one hand, Osimhen is a bona fide superstar – the hero of Napoli’s 2022/23 Serie A title triumph and one of the world’s most feared strikers. Letting him go is a painful prospect for the Neapolitan club and its fans. Just last year, Napoli reportedly turned down an astronomical offer of over €200 million from a Saudi team for Osimhen, preferring to keep their talisman. That shows how much they valued him at his peak. Since then, however, circumstances have changed. A turbulent season followed, including a highly publicized social media fallout and that unexpected loan to Galatasaray. Napoli now face the reality that Osimhen has only a year left on his deal (until 2026, with an option for 2027), and his willingness to extend his Napoli stay is in serious doubt.
From a sporting perspective, Napoli would love to reintegrate Osimhen and build around him again. But the trust and chemistry between player and club might have been strained. The fact that he spent a year away on loan hints at underlying issues. Now, with an enticing offer on the table, Napoli must weigh the benefits of a huge cash influx against the cost of losing a star player. €70-75 million is far below what they could have fetched at his peak, yet it’s still a significant sum that could be reinvested into the squad. Importantly, Osimhen’s apparent openness to the Al Hilal move (having agreed terms) puts additional pressure on Napoli – they won’t want to keep an unsettled player against his will.
From Osimhen’s perspective, this is a career-defining decision. At 24, he’s in the prime of his career and has proven himself in Italy and Turkey. A move to Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal means trading the spotlight of Europe’s top competitions for a highly lucrative contract and a new challenge in the Middle East. It’s not an easy choice: players of his caliber usually aim for the UEFA Champions League and global recognition. However, the financial package from Al Hilal is so huge that it’s hard to ignore. Osimhen would be joining a club that is ambitiously assembling a superstar squad – Al Hilal have already attracted big names in recent windows, and the Saudi Pro League’s level is rapidly rising. He would link up with players like Neymar (a marquee Al Hilal signing in 2023) and benefit from the guidance of Coach Inzaghi, all while securing his family’s financial future for generations.
On the flip side, staying in Europe – whether at Napoli or elsewhere – would keep Osimhen in the elite competitive environment. There’s also interest from other European clubs (he’s been on the radar of several Premier League and Champions League sides in the past). But at the moment, none of those have come forward with a concrete offer close to what Al Hilal is proposing. Galatasaray’s effort was commendable but ultimately can’t compete at the same level.
A Transfer Saga Nearing Its Climax
As things stand, Al Hilal are leading the race for Victor Osimhen, and confidence is growing that a deal will be struck soon. The negotiations are reportedly in their final stages, with only minor details separating the clubs. If Al Hilal agree to meet Napoli’s €75 million price tag – which seems likely, given the small gap – we could see a full agreement in a matter of days or even hours. All parties are moving with urgency, as the Saudi transfer window and pre-season plans are underway.
Should this transfer be completed, it will mark a seismic shift in the summer transfer market. Osimhen swapping Napoli for Al Hilal would underscore the pulling power of the Saudi Pro League, which continues to attract top talent with its financial might. It also highlights a new reality: even historically “unsellable” players are now obtainable if the price is right. For Napoli, losing a star of Osimhen’s caliber is a blow, but the club has shown in the past that it can rebuild shrewdly (and they will have a hefty fee to fuel that rebuild). For Osimhen, it’s the beginning of a new chapter – one that will test him in a different environment and perhaps redefine what ambition means in modern football.
Fans in Naples, Riyadh, and Istanbul alike are holding their breath to see where the chips fall. One thing is certain: this transfer saga has been anything but dull. From Galatasaray’s bold gambit to Al Hilal’s stunning offer, the narrative has had twists and turns worthy of a blockbuster. As we await official confirmation, the sentiment around this deal is clear – it’s a game-changer in every sense. Victor Osimhen’s next destination looks set to be Al Hilal, and the football world is watching with anticipation.
