Serie A champions Napoli have turned down two massive offers for star striker Victor Osimhen, it has been reported, as Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal push to sign the Nigerian.
Osimhen was a talismanic figure for the Italian side last season on their way to a first title since the 1980s, scoring 26 times in Serie A and striking up a fearsome partnership with Georgian winger Kvara Kvaratskhelia.
It was expected that the Nigerian would be staying in Naples, with club president Aurelio de Laurentiis hinting that it would take a bid only achievable by PSG to change their mind.
Turin, Italy. 23rd Apr, 2023. Victor Osimhen of SSC Napoli celebrates the victory at the end of the Serie A football match between Juventus FC and SSC Napoli at Juventus stadium in Turin (Italy), April 23th, 2022. Credit: Insidefoto di andrea staccioli/Al 2PPCR8K Turin, Italy. 23rd Apr, 2023. Victor Osimhen of SSC Napoli celebrates the victory at the end of the Serie A football match between Juventus FC and SSC Napoli at Juventus stadium in Turin (Italy), April 23th, 2022. Credit: Insidefoto di andrea staccioli/Alamy Live News (Alamy Stock Photo)
“The only club that can afford to take Osimhen away from us is Paris Saint-Germain,” De Laurentiis told Sport Mediaset.
“So if Nasser Al-Khelaifi wants to take out 200 or so, then we will wait and evaluate.”
He hadn’t counted on Saudi Arabia though, with Pro League giants Al-Hilal desperate to make a statement signing this summer after seeing offers for Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Moussa Diaby and Romelu Lukaku all rejected so far this transfer window.
However, Al Hilal haven’t, and sources in France claim that Napoli have knocked back two bids from the Saudi side. Beginning at 120m euros, they have also tabled a bid of 140m euros, but both have been turned down.
Despite this, they are expected to come back with a third offer and have offered Osimhen a deal worth in the region of 1m euros per week. While it may not quite be the 200m euros that De Laurentis was holding out for, the offer could become too good to turn down.