A blockbuster transfer has rocked the football world: Napoli striker Victor Osimhen has completed a full agreement to leave the club for €75 million, with the Nigerian international’s deal containing a striking clause – he is barred from joining any Italian club in the future.
At 25, Osimhen established himself as Serie A’s most dominant forward over the past three seasons, netting 64 goals in 104 games for Napoli. His crowning moment came in 2022-23, when he fired the club to their first Serie A title in 33 years, etching his name into club folklore. However, a turbulent 2023-24 campaign, marred by contract disputes, made his exit inevitable.
Al Hilal of the Saudi Pro League emerged as the winners. Not only did they agree a €75 million fee (including €10 million in add-ons) with Napoli, but Osimhen will also sign a three-year contract worth €20 million annually. The "no Serie A return" clause, reportedly insisted upon by Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis, ensures the striker will never don the colors of a rival Italian club – a move to prevent him from haunting his former side.
For Osimhen, the transfer marks both a career and financial leap. The Saudi league’s growing allure, bolstered by stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mané, offers a fresh stage. For Napoli, the €75 million fee sets a new club record for a sale, while the clause acts as a safeguard against future headaches. Serie A fans, though, lose one of their most electrifying talents – the sight of Osimhen’s signature backflip celebration will no longer light up Italian stadiums.
With this deal done, a pivotal chapter in Osimhen’s career closes. His next act, in the Middle East, is set to begin.
