In Demand Nigerian Striker Set To Snub Manchester United and Chelsea With Shock Move

Victor Osimhen. Photo. Imago

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Victor Osimhen's future remains unresolved after failed Al Hilal move (Credit: Imago)

In Demand Nigerian Striker Set To Snub Manchester United and Chelsea With Shock Move

Evans Ousuru 07:30 - 27.05.2025

The striker has been linked with a move to Man United, Chelsea and Arsenal.

Victor Osimhen is reportedly close to securing his next move as he nears agreeing personal terms with a surprising suitor.

The forward lit up the Super Lig at Galatasaray this season, scoring 25 goals and providing five assists in 29 games for the Turkish giants according to the Daily Mail.

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Osimhen is currently on loan from Napoli, and his contract - which expires in 2026 - has a release clause of £63million available for non-Italian clubs.

The 26-year-old scored 31 goals in all competitions as he fired Napoli to a first Serie A title in 33 years in the 2022-23 season, and has since been rated as one of Europe's elite frontmen.

Premier League links

Victor Osimhen scored 36 goals for Galatasaray this season.

The highly sought after Nigeria international has long been linked with multiple Premier League clubs, including Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal.

But rather than seeking a move to a top European club, Osimhen is in advanced negotiations with Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal. It is believed that Osimhen's mammoth three-year contract could see him earn close to £15m per season playing in the Gulf nation.

While Al Hilal are confident they will get the deal over the line, Osimhen's move will not be finalised until the club receive the necessary funds from the Saudi government to sign their man.

Possible hitch?

Party time! Osimhen was out with his Galatasaray teammates.

Saudi's Ministry of Sports have not yet given the green light to release these funds, without which a deal would be impossible.

However, Al Hilal are not worried about this, and their club president has reportedly even received verbal confirmation of Osimhen's desire to join.

Osimhen is one of Europe's hottest strikers and has also been linked with Arsenal, Juventus and Barcelona.

However, he was forced to desperately search for a new club in last summer's transfer window after Napoli boss Antonio Conte signed Romelu Lukaku and left Osimhen out of his squad.

Despite more rumours of a move to Paris Saint-Germain and a host of Saudi sides, no move permanent move materialised.

He has long been eyed as a solution to Arsenal's chronic No 9 issues, but negotiations between club and player never gained traction.

Last summer, Chelsea legends John Obi Mikel and Didier Drogba reached out to the forward to try and talk him into a Stamford Bridge switch.

"I hope that Chelsea fans will finally see him come to the club. I’ll make sure I send him those text messages and calls, making sure Chelsea is his top priority," said Mikel.

Osimhen is a goal poacher who has been likened to Chelsea legend Didier Drogba.