Italian journalist Valter De Maggio has made the bold claims that Nigeria international Victor Osimhen may contemplate a move to the Middle East during the upcoming transfer season.
Osimhen played for Napoli on Sunday, as the 2022/23 Serie A champions were held to a goalless draw by Lecce in the final game of the 2023/24 season.
The Nigerian striker has been linked with a move away from Napoli, and the game against Lecce at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium on Sunday might be his final appearance for the Napoli-based club.
Osimhen joined Napoli from Lille in the 2020 summer for a club record fee of €70m plus another €10m in bonuses and has been in sensational form for the Parthenopeans for the past two seasons, guiding them to their first Scudetto title in over three decades.
The Lagos-born striker ended the 2022/23 season with 26 league goals and was named the league’s best striker.
In what was a poor season for Napoli where they won only 13 games, lost 11 and drew 14, Osimhen still managed to pose a relatively good figure scoring 15 goals and providing three assists from 25 league appearances.
Oismhen has emerged as one of the most sought-after strikers in Europe having been linked with moves to Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, and Liverpool among others.
However, speaking on Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli De Maggio claimed that Osimhen’s preference is a move to Arsenal over other contenders but his hefty €130m release clause could serve as a stumbling block for the Gunners and the Nigerian may consider a move to the Middle East if the Gunners don’t come calling.
“Osimhen wants the Premier League; if the offer doesn’t come then he would consider the Arab one. There is no club paying the clause today, Osimhen would like Arsenal otherwise he would consider Saudi Arabia,” De Maggio stated.
With the conclusion of the 2023/24 season, Osimhen is currently on a break and will join up with the Eagles squad when the camp opens ahead of their 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and the Benin Republic next month.
