Victor Osimhen has now turned down the offer from Al Hilal three times in what would have been a record-breaking deal. The Nigerian international, who previously impressed with 37 goals in 41 games for Galatasaray on loan, has been high on Al Hilal’s wish list for several years. The club made three bids in 2023 and was close to a signing last summer, before Napoli put a stop to the transfer.
This summer, they are at it again and have offered Napoli to trigger the €75 million buyout clause and offered Osimhen an annual salary of €30 million.
The player who was supposed to be Erik ten Hag’s salvation last summer never really got going!
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The annoyance at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona is enormous over the refusal from Victor Osimhen that they can say no to any proposal this summer that does not trigger the buyout clause.
Manchester United believe there is room to get a good deal and are trying to get a deal that includes Joshua Zirkzee.
Osimhen is owned by Napoli, but last season was on loan at Galatasaray. The Turkish club wants to buy him, but faces competition from British clubs. Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Manchester United are willing to include Joshua Zirkzee in a deal to secure Osimhen. What they value Zirkzee in such a deal they do not say, but it will be far below the 42.5 million euros they paid Bologna last summer.
Zirkzee has not lived up to the high expectations at United and could now be “sacrificed” by the Premier League giant to get Osimhen at a lower price.
Highlights of Osimhen’s career:
- Became the top scorer in the 2022/23 Serie A season with 26 goals
- Helped Napoli to their first Serie A championship in 33 years in 2023
- Named African Player of the Year 2023
- Scored 10 goals in the 2022/23 Champions League
- Was bought for a club-record €70 million by Napoli in 2020
- Previously played for Wolfsburg, Charleroi and Lille
Osimhen is considered one of the world’s most sought-after strikers, and a move is likely to set new records in the transfer market.
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