Victor Osimhen is reportedly close to securing his next move as he nears agreeing personal terms with a surprising suitor.
The forward lit up the Super Lig at Galatasaray this season, scoring 25 goals and providing five assists in 29 games for the Turkish giants.
Osimhen is currently on loan from Napoli, and his contract – which expires in 2026 – has a release clause of £63million available for non-Italian clubs.
The 26-year-old scored 31 goals in all competitions as he fired Napoli to a first Serie A title in 33 years in the 2022-23 season, and has since been rated as one of Europe’s elite frontmen.
The highly sought after Nigeria international has long been linked with multiple Premier League clubs, including Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal.
But rather than seeking a move to a top European club, Osimhen is in advanced negotiations with Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal, according to Sky Sports.
Victor Osimhen is in advanced negotiations with Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal, as per a report
Reports in Italy last month revealed that Manchester United were in talks with the striker
Chelsea’s interest in Osimhen has been long-standing, dating back to last summer’s window
It is believed that Osimhen’s mammoth three-year contract could see him earn close to £15m per season playing in the Gulf nation.
While Al Hilal are confident they will get the deal over the line, Osimhen’s move will not be finalised until the club receive the necessary funds from the Saudi government to sign their man.
Saudi’s Ministry of Sports have not yet given the green light to release these funds, without which a deal would be impossible.
However, Al Hilal are not worried about this, and their club president has reportedly even received verbal confirmation of Osimhen’s desire to join.
Osimhen is one of Europe’s hottest strikers and has also been linked with Arsenal, Juventus and Barcelona.
However, he was forced to desperately search for a new club in last summer’s transfer window after Napoli boss Antonio Conte signed Romelu Lukaku and left Osimhen out of his squad.
Despite more rumours of a move to Paris Saint-Germain and a host of Saudi sides, no move permanent move materialised.
He has long been eyed as a solution to Arsenal’s chronic No 9 issues, but negotiations between club and player never gained traction.
Osimhen has been linked with a move to Arsenal to help finally solve their chronic No 9 issues
Last summer, Chelsea legends John Obi Mikel and Didier Drogba reached out to the forward to try and talk him into a Stamford Bridge switch.
‘I hope that Chelsea fans will finally see him come to the club. I’ll make sure I send him those text messages and calls, making sure Chelsea is his top priority,’ said Mikel.
‘But it seems like he loves the club and wants to come to Chelsea. I’m sure he has all the big clubs wanting to sign him. I think if we can secure his signature it would be fantastic for the club.
‘Didier is also speaking to him, sharing his own ideas and what the club means to us. We all want to see Victor come to the club. If it happens, it happens. It’s a huge transfer fee, but if we can match it and get him to the club that would be absolutely fantastic.’