- Napoli president demands a €500 million bid from Al-Hilal for Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, rejecting their initial €200 million offer
- European clubs, including Napoli, resisted lucrative Saudi offers this summer, keeping Osimhen as a highly sought-after player
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has told Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia that he will only consider a €500 million bid for Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen.
De Laurentiis was one of the few Europeans willing to turn down a lucrative Saudi offer this summer, and he mocked Al-Hilal’s proposal for Osimhen.
This summer, a slew of European clubs accepted lucrative offers from Saudi Arabian clubs, cashing in on their stars like Gabri Veiga and Riyadh Mahrez while offloading unwanted players like Edouard Mendy and Franck Kessie.
Many top players, including Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe, turned down Saudi offers this summer, making Victor Osimhen the dream transfer of many Saudi Pro League clubs. Al-Hilal made a €200 million offer to Napoli, but it was rejected, keeping the striker in Campania.
Al-Hilal’s salary proposal of €40 million per year made Osimhen reconsider joining Saudi Arabia, and it was reported in Italy that his family wanted him to make the move.
According to L’Equipe via TMW, De Laurentiis never considered accepting Al-Hilal’s lucrative offer for Osimhen, as stated in his response.
The Napoli president mocked Al-Hilal representatives in an email, writing, “Your €200 million offer can buy a single foot of Osimhen.” For next year, I believe you will be able to offer €500 million, and we will most likely consider your offer, but I’ll repeat myself: maybe.”
Last season, the Nigerian international was arguably Europe’s best centre-forward, scoring 31 goals in 39 games for Luciano Spalletti’s side.
Under the tutelage of newly-appointed Napoli manager Rudi Garcia, Osimhen has already scored three goals in three games for the Serie A champions.
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