Al-Hilal are likely to make a push for Victor Osimhen in the next few weeks as the Nigerian striker remains open to a Saudi transfer.
The 26-year-old is expected to be on the move again this summer after failing to get his preferred transfer last year. Despite talks with PSG, Chelsea and Al-Ahli, Osimhen ultimately had to move to Galatasaray on loan when most other transfer windows had already closed.
According to journalist Ben Jacobs, Osimhen is still refusing to budge from his position. He is asking for a guaranteed weekly salary in the region of £250,000, which is a number Chelsea absolutely don’t want to match, certainly not when it comes to guaranteed money.
This also means that a move to Man Utd is unlikely as the Nigeria international is quite simply too expensive. His €75 million release clause, hefty salary, potential bonuses, agent commissions and other expenses make him an unfeasible signing from the point of view of Premier League sides.
Osimhen has two options
Jacobs, therefore, posits that Osimhen will either end up at PSG or in Saudi Arabia. So far, PSG haven’t officially reignited their pursuit of the striker, but they will likely pursue a top-class No.9 this summer, and his relationship with star winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia makes him attractive.
Should a move to PSG not work out, Osimhen could easily secure a move to the Saudi Pro League, where Al-Hilal have replaced Al-Ahli as his main suitors.
The Riyadh giants have a €600 million budget available after missing out on Mohamed Salah and are ready to put it to good use, with bids for Osimhen and Bruno Fernandes seemingly in the offing.
Speaking on The Football Terrace YouTube channel, Jacobs emphasised that Osimhen was keen on heading to Saudi Arabia last summer as the money was simply ‘too good to turn down.’ He expects Al-Hilal to make a real push for the Nigerian in the coming weeks.
“Saudi may return, and it won’t obviously be Al-Ahli because they’ve already got Ivan Toney, but keep an eye on Al-Hilal ahead of the Club World Cup because Osimhen is on their radar.
“Osimhen already said he wants to go to Saudi, the money is too good to turn down, and I think we are going to see in the next two to three weeks another Saudi push for Osimhen. I think probably a move outside of the Premier League, unless Osimhen changes his demands, is looking like the most likely scenario.”
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