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Suitors of Napoli striker Victor Osimhen expect the Nigeria international to head to the Saudi Pro League this summer, a report has revealed.
Chelsea were locked in talks over a deal for Osimhen last summer but failed to strike an agreement before the transfer window closed. The mercurial forward then joined Galatasaray on loan but will return this summer with just one year left on his contract.
The Blues are thought to retain their interest, while Arsenal and Manchester United have also been named as suitors for Osimhen, who has struck 28 goals in 32 appearances since his move to Turkiye last year and is thought to have a release clause of €75m (£63.5m) in his Napoli contract.
However, David Ornstein of The Athletic has now revealed there is a consensus among Osimhen’s Premier League suitors that the 26-year-old is most likely to end up in Saudi Arabia at the end of the season.
Osimhen had the option to move to the Pro League last year when Al Ahli lodged bids for both him and Ivan Toney. A change in Napoli’s asking price ultimately saw them pursue Toney instead, despite the fact Osimhen was interested in the move and the vast wealth on offer.
Interest from the Middle East remains and, while it is thought Osimhen would rather stay in Europe, there are concerns inside Arsenal, Chelsea and United that his salary demands will ultimately see him end up in Saudi Arabia.
The immense competition to sign a new striker this summer has seen all Osimhen’s suitors draw up lengthy lists of alternative targets. Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres is a long-term target, while recent reports have named Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike, Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic, Wolves’ Matheus Cunha and Ipswich’s Liam Delap among the possible alternatives.
