Tom Weber
Tom Weber
Updated: 6 Jun 2025 19:27 BST
5 min read
Victor Osimhen, Galatasaray, 2024/25
© IMAGO
All the latest Victor Osimhen transfer news, including the truth behind his bombshell decision to reject Al-Hilal and how it influences Liverpool's summer.
Al-Hilal pull out of Osimhen race
According to Foot Mercato, Al-Hilal have officially pulled out of the race to sign the Nigerian superstar. It comes after reports emerged on Thursday evening that Osimhen had decided to turn down a move to the Riyadh giants.
Earlier this week, Al-Hilal made Osimhen a lucrative offer reportedly worth €30 million per season, while they also proposed a transfer fee to his parent club Napoli.
Osimhen decided to turn down the approach, and the above-mentioned outlet states that he also rejected a second, improved offer worth €35m annually. This prompted Al-Hilal to leave the talks altogether.
The Saudi side are scrambling to bring in big hitters for the Club World Cup and have no intention of wasting their time on lengthy negotiations. Time is running out after being snubbed by Bruno Fernandes and now Osimhen.
Al-Hilal to rid Liverpool of Nunez?
Osimhen's decision could inadvertently influence Liverpool's summer business, with Sports Zone reporting that Al-Hilal will now focus their attention on signing much-maligned Reds striker Darwin Nunez.
Already in January, the Uruguay international was being courted by Saudi dealmakers, albeit with a view to a move to city rivals Al-Nassr. Liverpool engaged in the talks but ultimately felt that it wasn't the right time to sell as they were still competing on several fronts at the time.
The situation is different now, and the Anfield club are keen to offload the misfiring striker. Nunez has also received interest from Spain, but Liverpool would surely prioritise a sale to Saudi Arabia as a lucrative exit of Nunez would help fund their record-breaking spending.
Galatasaray confident of keeping Osimhen
Victor Osimhen
© IMAGO - Victor Osimhen
Osimhen's rejection of Al-Hilal has emboldened Galatasaray to really press ahead with their charm offensive. Earlier this week, both president Dursun Ozbek and head coach Okan Buruk expressed their confidence about keeping the 26-year-old.
Ozbek claimed that their chances of reaching an agreement for Osimhen stood at a whopping '71 per cent,' while Buruk put them at a more modest '51 per cent.'
Sky Germany claimed that Galatasaray are willing to offer Osimhen a club-record €15m per season net salary, and that they would look to trigger his €75m release clause should attempts to drive his price down to €60m fail.
Now, Nicolo Schira confirms that Galatasray are increasingly 'confident' of retaining their loan star, with the Nigerian said to be 'prioritising' a prolonged stay in Istanbul in order to play Champions League next season.
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