By Gideon Maxwell
August 30, 2024
In a dramatic turn of events, the transfer saga involving Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen has reached a critical juncture as Chelsea and Al-Ahli of the Saudi Pro League vie for his signature.
With the transfer window set to close, both clubs are in active negotiations, each presenting compelling offers to secure the services of the highly sought-after Napoli forward.
The ongoing transfer saga has stirred significant controversy, with Chelsea and Al Ahli both expressing interest in the Nigerian striker.
Chelsea has been keen on signing Osimhen but faces challenges due to his high valuation and wage demands.
The player has a release clause of around £113 million, which Napoli expects potential suitors to meet, but neither Chelsea nor Al Ahli have been willing to offer that amount.
Al Ahli made an aggressive move by offering a package worth over €65 million, but Osimhen turned down the offer, reportedly due to unmet salary expectations and a lack of interest in moving to the Saudi Pro League.
He seems more inclined to remain in Europe, which leaves Chelsea with a glimmer of hope. However, Chelsea is only interested in a loan deal, which neither Osimhen nor Napoli finds appealing.
As the transfer window draws to a close, Chelsea is under pressure to either meet Napoli’s demands or risk losing out on the striker altogether.
The situation remains fluid, with both clubs closely monitoring developments and hoping to secure a favourable deal before the deadline.
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The complexity of this situation reflects the broader challenges in high-profile football transfers, where player preferences, financial constraints, and club demands all intersect.
Key developments:
Transfer bids:
– Al-Ahli: Napoli and Al-Ahli have reached a total agreement for the transfer of Victor Osimhen, with Al-Ahli agreeing to pay around €80 million plus add-ons to Napoli.
– Chelsea: Chelsea had submitted a bid for Osimhen, proposing a season-long loan deal with an obligation to buy at the end of the season. However, this offer was not as financially appealing as Al-Ahli’s.
Financial Offers:
– Al-Ahli: Al-Ahli have offered Osimhen a four-year contract worth approximately €25 million to €30 million per season net, which translates to around £485,000 per week after taxes. This includes a release clause valued at less than €100 million.
– Chelsea: Chelsea’s offer included a weekly wage of €350,000, significantly lower than Al-Ahli’s proposal and Osimhen’s initial demand of €500,000 per week.
Contract preferences:
– Osimhen had expressed a preference to stay in Europe and had initially sought a permanent transfer or a loan deal with an obligation to buy. However, Al-Ahli’s financial offer has made their proposal more attractive despite his European ambitions.
Napoli’s position:
– Napoli have agreed to sell Osimhen to Al-Ahli, indicating they are prepared to let him leave. This agreement includes a transfer fee of around €80 million plus add-ons.
Negotiation pressure:
– With the transfer deadline looming, both Chelsea and Al-Ahli had urged Osimhen to make a decision promptly.
However, it appears that Al-Ahli’s offer has won out, despite Chelsea’s efforts to secure the deal.
Alternative targets:
– Chelsea are also exploring other striker options, including Brentford’s Ivan Toney and Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin, as contingency plans in case the Osimhen deal falls through.
Controversy and decision:
The controversy surrounding Osimhen’s transfer revolves around his initial preference to stay in Europe and his subsequent decision to consider Al-Ahli’s lucrative offer.
Despite his agent’s earlier statements that Osimhen wanted to continue playing in Europe, the financial terms offered by Al-Ahli have proven too enticing to ignore.
Given the latest developments, it appears that Osimhen is on the verge of joining Al-Ahli, with Napoli and the Saudi club having reached a total agreement.
The deal includes a significant transfer fee and a highly lucrative contract for Osimhen, making it unlikely that Chelsea will be able to secure his signature before the transfer deadline.
