‘The Money Increased With Each Rejection’ — Osimhen Speaks On Declining Al-Hilal Bid

Victor Osimhen, Super Eagles striker, said he refused to join Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal FC earlier this year because he had to “make a decision that is good for my career.”

In July, the Saudi Pro League side reportedly tabled a €140 million (£120.3m) offer to sign Osimhen from Napoli.

The 24-year-old was billed to earn wages in the region of £1 million per week if the Italian club accepted the offer.

However, the move fell through, with Osimhen opting to stay with the Parthenopeans for at least another season.

Speaking on the exorbitant bid in a chat with John Obi Mikel on the “Obi One Podcast” on Monday, the Napoli striker admitted that the Al-Hilal offer was hard to refuse and “would have changed my life amazingly”.

He added that the Saudi club never relented, and “the more I said no, the more they increased the financial offer”.

“When the offer came from Saudi Arabia, a huge offer, it was hard to refuse,” Osimhen said.

“It was a really huge decision for me to take.

“The more I said no, the more they increased the financial offer. I was like, wow! This is for real.

“I spoke to Napoli and decided to stay. But they [Al-Hilal] never gave up until the end of their transfer window.

“The transfer would have changed my life amazingly, but I just have to make a decision that is good for my career. As much as we play football for money, there is also honour that comes with it.”

Earlier this month, Osimhen was named the eighth best male footballer in the world at the Ballon d’Or ceremony.

He became the first Nigerian to be named in the top ten of the Ballon d’Or.