Nigeria international forward Victor Osimhen is facing a dilemma on his next career destination with Napoli keen on him joining Saudi Arabia side Al-Hilal as against his wish, which is to continue with Turkish side Galatasary, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
Osimhen spent last season on loan to the Turkish side powering them to league and cup glory with 37 goals and six assists in 41 games across all competitions.
Galatasary are keen on having him return on a permanent deal and have already agreed personal terms with him for a record pay, which matches his wage demands but there are finding it difficult to pay the release clause contained in his contract.
The fee of €75m was agreed last summer before his loan move to Galatasary. It was previously pegged at €150m but after a failed attempt to leave the club last summer, it was reviewed down with the Nigerian signing a new deal as part of the agreement.
However the clause is only valid for teams outside Italy, and it expires later today. Upon expiration the deal of the Nigerian which has a year to run will automatically extend by another year to help Napoli maintain their strong bargaining position.
Explaining the situation, football agent Matt George said it’s a case of Napoli wanting the best deal in agreement with what both partied signed last summer, hence their decision to push the Nigerian towards Al Hilal, who are willing to pay the full worth of the release clause in one installment unlike the Turks who want to stagger it.
” It’s a business strategy that everybody understands unless you want to be unfair, sentimental and greedy. Al Hilal are offering the full worth of the release clause in one payment. Galatasary want to pay but in four years and with clauses”, George explained.
” Napoli need the money to buy a striker in Darwin Nunez from Liverpool and what Gala are offering can’t do that for them. So they prefer the deal to Saudi Arabia. I will do the same if I were to be in their shoes”, he stated.
Daniel Martins
