The relentless pursuit of European football`s top talents by clubs in the Saudi Pro League continues, with Al Hilal once again making headlines. The latest chapter involves a renewed attempt to sign Nigerian international striker Victor Osimhen from Napoli.
Sources indicate that Al Hilal tabled a substantial offer, reportedly in the region of €75 million, structured to be paid in two installments. This represents a significant sum, yet it appears Napoli`s valuation of their star player remains considerably higher.
Notably, this is not Al Hilal`s first approach for Osimhen this transfer window. Earlier in the summer, reports suggested the Saudi club had managed to reach an agreement on personal terms with the player himself. However, the current situation presents a slight twist: while Al Hilal has returned with a sizable bid for the club, the player is reported to have not yet given his explicit consent for this particular transfer, at least at the time of the offer.
Despite the persistent and lucrative offers, Napoli`s stance is described as resolute. The Italian club has firmly rejected the €75 million proposal, underlining their intent to keep the prolific forward who was instrumental in their recent Serie A triumph.
Interestingly, Al Hilal`s strategy doesn`t appear to be solely focused on Osimhen. The Saudi giants are concurrently keeping their options robustly open, actively monitoring several other prominent strikers across Europe. Names mentioned on their radar include Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyökeres, both considered rising talents who have shown impressive form.
Adding another dimension to Al Hilal`s striker hunt is Dusan Vlahovic, the Serbian forward currently at Juventus. Reports suggest Vlahovic is another target being considered, with his valuation estimated to be around €25 million – a figure notably lower than the bid made for Osimhen, perhaps reflecting different levels of priority or perceived difficulty in negotiations.
In summary, while Al Hilal`s financial muscle allows for significant offers, securing Victor Osimhen from a determined Napoli remains a challenging prospect. The Saudi club`s simultaneous exploration of alternatives like Sesko, Gyökeres, and Vlahovic highlights a calculated approach to reinforcing their attack, ensuring they land a high-profile center forward this window, even if the top target proves unattainable.