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By: Peter Akinbo.
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has turned down a lucrative €130m bid from Al-Hilal for Nigerian striker, Victor Osimhen, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The Saudi side, backed by sovereign wealth fund PIF, approached Napoli with a substantial offer in an attempt to secure the services of the Nigerian forward
This move comes after their initial interest in Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe was met with a cold response, leading them to explore other options.
Osimhen, who played a crucial role in Napoli’s triumphant Scudetto-winning campaign last season, has garnered significant interest from various quarters. The Italian club clinched the Serie A title for the first time in over three decades, with Osimhen’s stellar performances in the forefront.
As per reports from Il Mattino via TMW, Al-Hilal presented their bid to De Laurentiis, putting forth the sum of €130m for the Nigerian international. However, Napoli swiftly declined the proposal, indicating their unwillingness to part ways with the talented striker during this summer transfer window. Instead, Napoli is focusing on securing Osimhen’s future at the club by negotiating a new long-term contract. They value the player at approximately €200m.
The 26-year-old forward made his mark in the Serie A last season, finishing as the league’s top scorer with an impressive 26 goals in just 32 appearances. His remarkable achievement earned him the prestigious Golden Boot award, making him the first African player to claim this accolade in the league’s history.
The Saudi Pro League has seen a significant influx of players from Europe this summer all following in the path set by Cristiano Ronaldo who made his move in December of 2022.