The enticing Saudi Arabian offer, according to Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, would have revolutionised his life. He also explained why he declined the offer—despite the fact that it was a difficult decision.
With 26 goals and five assists in 32 league games played, the Nigerian striker was the main attraction in the city of Campania during their historic Scudetto victory last season. The top teams in the world, including Manchester United and Chelsea, took notice of him since he was one of the most dangerous center-forwards in Europe.
In an interview with Calciomercato.com’s John Obi Mikel for the “Obi One Podcast,” Osimhen discussed his opinions on the Premier League and the teams he supports.
Initially, Mikel had joked about serving as a middleman when he had called Osimhen to move to Chelsea the following summer.
“Next season I know you will come to Chelsea man! I tell you, I will be the agent who will broker that deal. I will make sure it happens. We are desperate for someone like you since Drogba left the club.”
The 24-year-old said that he is thinking about joining two Premier League clubs.
“I don’t have a favourite Premier League club, but I have two shirts, Chelsea and Manchester United. Many of my friends are Chelsea fans, a few Man United. The Premier League is the most popular league for any African player, it’s a great league,” he revealed.
Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia made a genuine attempt to recruit Osimhen in the summer, paying Napoli €200 million in the process. However, President Aurelio De Laurentiis declined, indicating that he wasn’t prepared to let the star striker go just yet.
When Osimhen considered Al-Hilal’s massive summer offer, he acknowledged that the hefty offer from Saudi Arabia “would’ve changed his life.”
According to him, “What was said is true. I have to be honest, I never thought about leaving last summer because Napoli wanted to keep me, but when the offer came from Saudi Arabia, a huge offer, it was hard to refuse. I spoke to Napoli and decided to stay.
“It was crazy… The more I said no, the more they increased the financial offer. It would have changed my life, they never gave up. But I said, no guys, I’m staying.”
They asked him whether he wanted to play in Europe some more.
He responded: “Of course. I had talks in August, it was a huge decision for me to make. I spoke to Napoli, and we decided together to refuse. I didn’t want people to think I wanted to leave. It was a positive decision for my career. As much as you play football for money, there is also so much more to it.”
