Victor Osimhen is in talks with Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal ahead of a possible summer transfer, according to the latest reports.
The Saudi Pro League side are said to have made the Napoli striker their top transfer target to sign before the Club World Cup begins next week. They are reputedly ready to pay the player’s €75million (£63million) release clause currently agreed in his Napoli contract.
However, the Riyadh-based club are awaiting an answer to their formal proposal from Osimhen. That offer is purportedly worth around €30million (£25million) per season, which works out to around €577,000 a week (£486,000).
Chelsea remain interested in Osimhen. However, football.london understands they have concerns over the player’s wage demands.
Being unable to convince the Nigeria international to lower his salary expectations to fit the club’s strict wage structure is understood to be why a deal on transfer deadline day last summer did not materialise. The Blues have a policy of negotiating lower base wages spread over longer deals.
Liam Delap is the latest example, signing a six-year contract. As such, they would be unlikely able to compete with Al-Hilal, as Ben Jacobs of GiveMeSport reports that bonuses would also be on top of the €30million (£25million) offer.
Personal terms were an issue for the Blues during negotiations over signing Jadon Sancho permanently. The demands of Nico Williams are also said to be a big concern over any potential deal for the Athletic Club winger.
However, if Osimhen does not sign for Al-Hilal before the exceptional registration period closes on 10 June, the Saudi club could seemingly end their interest in the centre-forward.
With the Club World Cup being of utmost importance to them, they may look elsewhere for a new striker, thus leaving Osimhen on the market.
The Blues seemingly have no rush to do business before the competition begins. While that patience could see them miss out on Osimhen, it could equally benefit them over the remainder of this window.
