Nigerian football star Victor Osimhen has voiced his dissatisfaction regarding Napoli’s intention to sell him to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal, urging Turkish champions Galatasaray to expedite negotiations for his transfer fee with the Serie A side.
Despite having received a lucrative four-year contract offer from Al-Hilal, reportedly worth €160 million, Osimhen remains steadfast in his desire to play for Galatasaray. The former African Player of the Year, who spent the previous season on loan with the Turkish side, has expressed his preference for competing in the UEFA Champions League over joining a club in the Arabian league.
“I want to continue at Galatasaray,” Osimhen communicated to the club’s officials, as reported by Milliyet. “Please, secure my transfer fee from Napoli. They wish to sell me to Saudi Arabia and have plans to do so for €100 million.”
Despite Osimhen’s clear intentions, Napoli has set a hefty price tag of £75 million for the striker, rejecting multiple offers from Galatasaray that started at €50 million and increased to €65 million.
In the meantime, former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has criticised the club’s failure to pursue Osimhen, with Manchester United identified as one of the teams interested in acquiring the Nigerian international. Given United’s disappointing 15th place finish last season, there is a pressing need for reinforcements in their attacking line.
Ferdinand remarked on TalkSPORT, “I’ve been saying Osimhen for a while now. He’s an experienced centre-forward and knows how to score at the top level. I was surprised to see Galatasaray’s £50 million bid. In today’s market, that is absolute peanuts for securing one of the top strikers in the world.”
Ferdinand further added, “If he goes to Galatasaray for that amount, I will be disappointed, especially when Manchester United are in dire need of a striker. I will be concerned if we miss out on Gyokeres too, but if we secure Osimhen, it would alleviate some of that worry.”
As the saga continues, much attention will be focused on whether Galatasaray can negotiate an acceptable deal to bring Osimhen to Turkey permanently.
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