By Abiola Olawale
Napoli has frustrated Nigerian Striker Victor Osimhen’s transfer to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli, according to The New Diplomat checks.
According to reports, the Italian club reportedly blocked Osimhen’s move to Saudi after agreeing to a lucrative €40m per season contract over four years, totalling €160m.
Napoli was reported to have demanded an extra €5m despite the fact that Al-Ahli was offering a €80m deal to sign Osimhen, the reigning African best player.
This was said to be the reason the representative of Al-Ahli walked away from negotiations.
Osimhen’s agent made furious phone calls to club president Aurelio De Laurentiis and sporting director Giovanni Manna, expressing their anger and frustration at the club’s actions.
It would be recalled also that Osimhen was linked with a deadline-day transfer to Chelsea, but that deal was called off due to disagreements over wages.
As reported by Goal, the Blues offered Osimhen a mere €4m per season, half his current salary, plus €4m in performance-related bonuses, which the striker deemed insulting.
Specifically, €2m of the bonuses were connected to Chelsea qualifying for the Champions League, and the other €2m were based on goals and appearances for the club.
With the European transfer window closing, Osimhen’s options are limited. He may have to hope for a late offer from a Saudi team, with the Saudi transfer window open until Monday 2 September, or face being frozen out of the team until the January window opens.
