It’s the end of a long saga and once again, Europe is about to lose one of its best strikers. After four years at Napoli (76 goals, 18 assists in 133 matches, all competitions combined), Victor Osimhen (25 years old) had asked for a change of scenery. The Partenopei had confirmed the news, but were demanding a fortune to let go of a striker under contract until 2026.
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Paris Saint-Germain then appeared as a solid courtier that the player really liked. But the transalpine team demanded no less than €120 million. A sum that the capital club did not want to pay, even after losing Gonçalo Ramos for three months. Chelsea then thought they had a free hand. Convinced that Osimhen wanted to stay in Europe, the Blues thought that Napoli would make things easier after replacing him by buying Romelu Lukaku… from Chelsea. But that was without counting on the Saudi team Al-Ahli.
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On August 26, however, the Nigerian’s agent confided that his protégé had no plans to leave the Old Continent. “Osimhen is a Napoli player, with a contract recently renewed to our mutual satisfaction. He has made history for the Azzurri and, when there have been important offers (including this year), we have always accepted the club’s decisions. As I have said before, this is not a package to be sent far away to make room for new prophets. Victor was voted African player of the year, eighth in the Ballon d’Or, he still has a lot to do in Europe. We need respect.”
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Four days later, despite the sending of an emissary from Chelsea to Naples, Sky Italie announces that Victor Osimhen will indeed be flying to Saudi Arabia. Al-Ahli will pay €80 million (excluding bonuses) to Napoli to buy out the last two years of the striker’s contract. For his part, the former Lille player, expected today to undergo his medical, should sign a four-year contract paid at €40 million net per season. Note that the lease will still include an exit clause. This time, the Osimhen saga is over.
Pub. the 30/08/2024 09:37
Updated on 30/08/2024 10:41