
Napoli striker Victor Osimhen will be joining Al Ahli ahead of Chelsea and other suitors, according to Sky Sports Italy journalist and transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio.
The Blues have had the Nigerian international on their radar all summer, but they could not agree to a deal and he is off to the Middle East.
Napoli will be getting an initial €80 million transfer fee from the Saudi Pro League club for Osimhen, with more to arrive in add-ons going forward.
#Osimhen to @ALAHLI_FC, parties working on final details: 4-year contract at around €40m per year. @sscnapoli expected to earn around €80m + add-ons. Release clause will be included. @SkySport
— Gianluca Di Marzio (@DiMarzio) August 30, 2024
The 25-year-old is signing a four-year deal which would see him pocket €40m per year in wages, with all the parties now working on the final details of the deal.
While Chelsea will now have to look elsewhere if they want to sign a top striker before 11pm tonight, a future move for Osimhen could still be on the cards as a release clause will be included in his deal to join Al Ahli.
Germany-based UEFA-accredited Nigerian sports journalist Oma Akatugba, who is close friends with the Chelsea target provided an info last night, claiming Osimhen agreed to a weekly wage of €350,000 with the Blues having initially demanded €500,000 per week.
However, while Chelsea eventually persuaded him to accept the lower figure, the Saudis have pipped them to his services.
The Victor Osimhen transfer saga seems to be leaning toward a move to Chelsea. According to my sources—not Victor or anyone from his camp—as of 11 p.m. last night, he agreed to a weekly wage of €350,000 with Chelsea. Initially, he sought €500,000 per week, but Chelsea persuaded…
— Oma Akatugba (@omaakatugba) August 29, 2024
And someone says they want to make him the second highest earner in Saudi. A league where a Neymar and Benzema are, including Kante. Some of these guys on twitter make me laugh. 😂😂😂😂. This is the real story. The player is asking for 40 million per annum but the club wants to… https://t.co/UINMHJvqPN
— Oma Akatugba (@omaakatugba) August 28, 2024
Chelsea may now look to move for Brentford striker Ivan Toney, with the England international expected to leave the Bees having been left out of their matchday squads since the new season started.
They cannot rely solely on Nicolas Jackson if they want to challenge for major trophies this season and finish in the top-four, and manager Enzo Maresca could be hoping to land another out-and-out striker in the coming hours.
