Napoli striker Victor Osimhen has rejected an insanely lucrative offer to join Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
The news is excellent for Manchester United, who have been credited with a strong interest in signing the Nigerian marksman.
The reliable Romano posted on X this afternoon that “Despite agreement club to club with Napoli for €75m fee, Osimhen says no to the Saudi Pro League club.
“Galatasaray will insist to sign him with race now open again.”
🚨🚫 BREAKING: Victor Osimhen has rejected Al Hilal proposal.
Despite agreement club to club with Napoli for €75m fee, Osimhen says no to the Saudi Pro League club. ❌
Galatasaray will insist to sign him with race now open again. 👀 pic.twitter.com/XmUTcmfNxk
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 8, 2025
As United’s own Bruno Fernandes did last month, Osimhen has turned down an eye-watering salary – in this case a reported £648,000 per week – in order to pursue a transfer to one of Europe’s top clubs.
Whether that turns out to be Galatasaray, where he spent six months on loan last season, remains to be seen.
Osi has made no secret of his desire to play in the Premier League and indeed that Champions League football was not a priority for him.
United can probably stump up the £63 million required by Napoli, but questions remain as to whether they can reach an agreement with the player on salary and, indeed, whether in fact they want the player in their ranks at all.
The 26 year old’s quality is without question, but some reports have suggested that he does not fit the profile that United are looking for, while others have said his salary demands are too high.
Clearly, though, if it was all about money, he would be on his way to Riyadh already.
It seems very unlikely that the deal with Al-Hilal can now be resurrected, both because he has turned down an offer even higher than what he was demanding, and because the Saudis wanted a decision in time for the Club World Cup, the deadline for which is Tuesday.
Many United fans will be clutching firmly onto this straw of news now and hoping that INEOS can seize the opportunity to land a world-class striker for Ruben Amorim.
Featured image Ahmad Mora via Getty Images
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