Super Eagles and Napoli star Victor Osimhen is at the centre of a transfer tug-of-war as the summer transfer window nears its close, with only Chelsea and Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli left in the race to secure his signature, Soccernet.ng reports.
With Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain having withdrawn their interest, Chelsea and Al Ahli are the final contenders for Osimhen’s services.
Chelsea is keen on bolstering their attack with the Nigerian forward, while Al Ahli is equally determined to lure him to Saudi Arabia with a lucrative offer.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the decisive factor in Osimhen’s potential move to Al Ahli hinges on Chelsea's ability to meet his salary demands.
The Saudi Arabian club is reportedly offering a staggering €40 million per year, a figure that significantly outshines what Chelsea is currently willing to pay.
The Blues are pushing for a reduction from Osimhen’s current €11 million per year salary to fit within their financial structure.
Osimhen, however, remains firm on his stance: he’s unwilling to accept a pay cut or join Chelsea on a loan deal with an option to buy. This stance has made negotiations more complex and drawn out.
The situation boils down to one critical point—if Chelsea cannot meet Osimhen’s salary expectations, his move to Al Ahli may become inevitable.
The outcome of these talks will soon determine whether the Nigerian striker heads to London or embarks on a new chapter in Saudi Arabia.
