Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen is the most coveted African player on the planet right now.
The Super Eagles striker and current African Footballer of the Year is being courted by Saudi Pro League money bags, Al Ahli, and English Premiership billionaire club, Chelsea.
It’s a fierce battle of football power, resources and influence.
Osimhen has been reportedly offered a mouthwatering four-year contract by Al Alhi, which have reportedly made a bid worth €70m for the Napoli striker.
The Nigerian will earn €30m in wages per season if he signs for the Saudi Pro League club.
This comes despite Chelsea’s strong interest in signing the forward, whose role model is Chelsea legend, Ivorian Didier Drogba.
Osimhen has had a long-standing interest in playing for the English Premiership side.
“Chelsea is a great club, I think playing for them would be the greatest opportunity someone would ever have in this life,” Osimhen said in a 2015 interview after Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets won the FIFA U-17 World Cup, where he led Nigeria to a record fifth title at the tournament, scoring 10 goals to win the Golden Boot and Silver Ball awards.
The Nigerian won the 2022/23 Italian Footballers’ Association Player of the Year award after scoring 23 goals to lead Napoli to their first league title in 33 years. He was also ranked eighth best player in the 2023 Ballon d’Or awards.
Osimhen may reportedly sign for Al Ahli, if Chelsea are not able to agree on terms with the striker.
According to Italian sports journalist, and specialist in football transfers news, a delegation from Al Ahli has arrived in Italy for direct talks with Osimhen and his camp.
“Al Ahli proposal to Osimhen includes a release clause, a crucial point requested by the Nigerian striker, while talks will continue in person with Al Ahli management in Italy for direct talks…while Chelsea keep negotiating on contract terms with Victor,” he said.
“Contract on table with release clause, as Osimhen wanted. Chelsea in active talks with Osimhen on salary. Al Ahli deal only happen if Chelsea #CFC talks collapse,” Romano posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday night.
The Italian had earlier posted that Al Ahli management was set to travel to Italy on Wednesday to advance in talks with Victor Osimhen, despite Chelsea still in talks with Osimhen over personal terms and salary.
Brendford’s Ivan Toney is also a target for Chelsea.
