Representatives from Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli have now arrived in Italy to hold what they hope to be instrumental talks with Victor Osimhen and his camp over a possible move to the Middle East before the close of the summer transfer window.
Al-Ahli ready for in-person Osimhen talks
Reports earlier this week confirmed that Al-Ahli are prepared to pay Napoli a fee of €70m to sign the Nigeria international. They are also preparing an enormous four-year contract offer worth €30m per season in wages.
According to recent updates from Fabrizio Romano, Al-Ahli are also prepared to include a release clause in Osimhen’s contract. He requested the same with Napoli when he re-negotiated his deal last season, and is understood to be after the same from Chelsea as well.
Osimhen has also been subject of interest from Chelsea in recent days. The West Londoners are willing to match Al-Ahli’s €70m offer to Napoli, but are not likely to offer Osimhen anywhere near as much in wages.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reported on Tuesday that Chelsea would be prepared to offer Osimhen a similar set of terms to the ones he earns on his current Napoli deal. That would be around €10m per season in wages.
Fabrizio Romano adds that the Al-Ahli deal is only likely to happen if negotiations with Chelsea fall through.
Al-ahli also have the upper hand, given that time is on their side. The Premier League and Serie A windows will both close on August 30, but the deadline to register new players in the Saudi Pro League is over a month later, on October 6.
🚨🇳🇬 Plan revealed now confirmed: Al Ahli delegation has arrived in Italy for direct talks with Osimhen and his camp.
Contract on table with release clause, as Osimhen wanted.
🔵↪️ Chelsea in active talks with Osimhen on salary.
Al Ahli deal only happen if #CFC talks collapse. pic.twitter.com/vfu8u0fkE0
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 28, 2024
What a waste of a career if he goes there. But Napoli need to fleece those amateurs for a lot more than 70m if they do sell.