Victor Osimhen transfer back on as Al-Hilal raise the stakes

Victor Osimhen transfer talks have roared back into life, with Saudi Arabian powerhouse Al-Hilal relaunching their pursuit of the Napoli striker after last summer’s failed bid. The Riyadh club, bankrolled by the Public Investment Fund, are determined to land a marquee No.9 and believe Osimhen’s combination of pace, power and marketability makes him the perfect centrepiece for their ambitious global project.

Al-Hilal double down on the Victor Osimhen transfer chase

The primary focus keyword—Victor Osimhen transfer—sits at the heart of Al-Hilal’s recruitment strategy. Sources in Italy and Saudi Arabia confirm that club officials have reopened dialogue with Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis, tabling an initial package worth around €110 million plus substantial performance-related bonuses. While that figure is shy of Osimhen’s €130 million release clause, Hilal are ready to bridge the gap with a huge signing-on fee and the highest salary ever offered in the Saudi Pro League.

Why Osimhen fits Al-Hilal’s blueprint

After sweeping the domestic treble in 2023-24, Jorge Jesus’ side want fresh firepower to keep them ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr and Karim Benzema’s Al-Ittihad. Osimhen’s relentless pressing and ability to attack crosses would dovetail with wingers Malcom and Salem Al-Dawsari, while his global profile can lift shirt sales and TV ratings—key pillars of Hilal’s Vision 2030 marketing push.

Financial muscle on display

Reports suggest Osimhen has been offered a net salary of €45 million per season, dwarfing his current €10 million package in Naples. Add image rights, luxury accommodation in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter and the option of a future ambassadorial role, and the total deal could reach €250 million over four years. Al-Hilal believe those numbers will eventually convince the player, even though he still dreams of Premier League football.

Napoli’s stance and the price puzzle

Under new coach Antonio Conte, Napoli insist they will only sell if the release clause is met in full. Yet the club’s need to fund a squad overhaul—and Osimhen’s public desire for a fresh challenge—gives Al-Hilal leverage. Conte would reinvest the cash in Lille’s Jonathan David and Atalanta’s Teun Koopmeiners, easing Napoli’s wage bill and refreshing a squad that slumped to tenth last term.

Timing the bid

The Saudi transfer window runs until early September, giving Hilal weeks longer than their European rivals to strike a deal. The plan is to push hard after Napoli’s pre-season tour, when Osimhen’s attitude in training could force his employers to cash in rather than risk dressing-room unrest.

Competition from Europe and Turkey

Galatasaray, buoyed by their Champions League qualification, wanted to turn last year’s loan into a permanent move, but their €35 million ceiling never convinced Napoli. Chelsea and Arsenal have monitored the situation, yet Financial Fair Play constraints limit their spending. Paris Saint-Germain are focused on Randal Kolo Muani and a left-back, leaving Al-Hilal as the only club currently willing—and able—to meet Napoli’s valuation in one hit.

Alternative targets in case of collapse

Al-Hilal have compiled a short-list featuring Manchester City’s Julián Álvarez, Juventus hitman Dušan Vlahović and Porto’s Mehdi Taremi. However, insiders stress that none offers the same blend of age, athleticism and star quality as Osimhen, whose social-media following is larger than Hilal’s own. The Saudi side will not walk away easily.

What the move means for the Saudi Pro League

Landing Osimhen would underline the league’s shift from signing ageing legends to recruiting elite talents entering their prime. The Victor Osimhen transfer would instantly become the division’s record purchase, sending a message that Saudi Arabia intends to compete with Europe not just for veterans but for world-class starters at 25 or 26.

Player perspective

Osimhen has spoken openly about testing himself in England, yet privately he admires how Neymar and Sergej Milinković-Savić adapted to life in Riyadh. Friends say the Nigerian is intrigued by the idea of being the league’s most feared striker and appreciates Hilal’s willingness to fund charitable projects in Lagos as part of the deal.

Key obstacles still to clear

1. Release-clause negotiation: De Laurentiis rarely yields once a price is set.
2. Tax implications: While Saudi salaries are tax-free, image-rights agreements must satisfy Nigerian and Italian authorities.
3. Sporting ambition: Convincing a Champions League-level forward to swap Europe for Asia remains the toughest pitch.

Scenario planning

If Napoli agree a fee by mid-August, Hilal’s medical team will fly to Castel Volturno with club doctors and legal staff to finalise paperwork before a glitzy unveiling at the 68 000-seat Kingdom Arena. Should the impasse drag on, Hilal may pivot to Álvarez, though privately they fear City will block any exit.

The bigger picture for Napoli

Selling their talisman would hurt fan morale, but the cash injection could finance Conte’s 3-5-2 overhaul. The Italian tactician believes a more collective approach can replace Osimhen’s goals, pointing to how Atalanta thrived after selling Rasmus Højlund.

Market ripple effect

A record-breaking Victor Osimhen transfer would inflate prices for young forwards worldwide. Clubs like Sporting CP and Benfica are already hiking clauses for Viktor Gyökeres and Arthur Cabral, anticipating late-window Saudi bids.

Final outlook on the Victor Osimhen transfer

For now, all roads lead to Riyadh. Hilal’s budget and persistence make them clear front-runners, but until pen meets paper, the door remains ajar for a Premier League raid or a dramatic Napoli U-turn. Expect weeks of speculation, private jets and headline-grabbing offers as the saga barrels toward its climax.

Opinion: A gamble worth taking?

Al-Hilal’s pursuit epitomises the league’s rapid evolution. While purists lament another European star leaving early, the move could enrich African football through Osimhen’s philanthropy and push UEFA clubs to innovate financially. If Napoli secure a premium fee and Hilal land their man, everyone—except rival Serie A defenders—might just win.