Al-Hilal awaiting final Osimhen approval after satisfying Napoli demands

Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal are now awaiting the final approval from Napoli-owned striker Victor Osimhen after agreeing to pay the full release clause in the Nigerian’s contract with the Partenopei. 

Football Italia can confirm that Al-Hilal have agreed to pay the full €75m release clause in Osimhen’s contract with Napoli, which is only valid for clubs outside of Serie A this summer. 

The Saudi outfit are expected to pay the €75m fee over three installments, following a request from new head coach Simone Inzaghi to pay the extra €6m-€7m needed to get the deal done after having their initial bid turned down. 

Al-Hilal have already tabled an enormous contract offer to the Nigeria international, worth in excess of €30m per season in wages. 

Now, Al-Hilal are left waiting for Osimhen’s final approval before the necessary contracts are exchanged and the deal is made official. 

Osimhen career to date 

Osimhen has been under contract with Napoli for the last five years, having joined in a €70m deal from Lille in 2020. He netted 65 goals from 108 Serie A appearances, and played a crucial role in helping Napoli to their first Serie A title in well over 30 years during the 2022-23 season. 

However, after a tough season across the board in 2023-24, Osimhen was expected to be sold. 

A permanent exit never materialised in the summer of 2024, and the Nigerian saw negotiations with both Chelsea and Al-Ahli collapse in spectacular fashion on deadline day last year. 

That led to his joining Galatasaray on loan for the 2024-25 season, where he has since provided 37 goals from 41 matches in all competitions. 

Now, still under contract with Napoli, the Nigerian is expected to be sold to Al-Hilal, who are now under the stewardship of head coach Inzaghi following his recent departure as head coach of Inter.