Saudi Arabian clubs have been on Victor Osimhen’s case since last year, but he is has rejected them on different occasions
Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo has advised compatriot Victor Osimhen to prioritize a transfer to Saudi Arabia, Soccernet.ng reports.
Osimhen has been one of the hottest properties in the transfer market since last summer, and it is not a surprise.
The former Lille man has been one of the top marksmen in the world in the last three years.
Last summer it seemed that Osimhen would part ways with Napoli. He was linked with top clubs like Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and PSG.
Saudi Arabian clubs Al Hilal and Al Ahli were also interested in Osimhen and offered him as much as €20 million per year. But Osimhen refused to move there, prioritizing a transfer to a top European club instead.
Unfortunately for him, he did not get his big move and had to join Galatasaray in a season-long long loan last summer after he was frozen out of the team.
At Galatasaray, Osimhen shone as expected, contributing 37 goals and eight assists in 41 appearances across all competitions.
Following his impressive performances for the club, they expressed interest in signing Osimhen permanently despite the links to some big clubs in Europe.
Meanwhile, no big club in Europe has presented a good offer for Osimhen yet. Al Hilal, however, are still interested in signing the Super Eagles star.
This summer, they even increased their offer to €40 million per year, but he snubbed them. Another Saudi club Neom are reportedly willing to offer more than €40 million, but not much has come out of it.
Osimhen recently confirmed his desire to join Galatasaray permanently. But the Turkish giants have not reached a compromise with Napoli yet.
His Saudi Arabian admirers are still available and will likely make a move if he gives them the heads up. Still, that is not an option that Osimhen is considering at the moment.
In a related development, Ighalo, who is a close ally and mentor of Osimhen’s has shared his opinion on the Nigerian’s transfer debacle.
Ighalo, who has been playing in the Saudi Arabian Pro League since 2021 after playing for Premier League clubs like Manchester United and Watford, has urged Osimhen to consider the massive offers he has gotten from Saudi.
“My advice to Victor Osimhen is to go to Saudi Arabia for two years to make money. Then he should come back to Europe,” Ighalo told the Echo Room.
“I went to China to play for three years, then I went back to Europe to play for Manchester United. All odds were stacked against me then, I was 30 years old at the time.
“Victor Osimhen is 26 years old. In two years, he will be 28. He can still play in Europe for five years if he wants.”
Why Odion Ighalo wants Victor Osimhen to move to Saudi Arabia
Odion Ighalo is probably the richest Nigerian footballer, as he has been following the money since he was 28.
He joined Chinese club Changchun Yatai in 2017, the period when China were luring top players to their league with big contracts.
From there, he had a short stint with Manchester United before moving to Saudi Arabia, where he also got a bumper contract.
Ighalo believes Osimhen should also follow the money, as it would help him meet the financial demands from his family and friends. It would also be a good cushion for him if he sustains a career-ending injury or he retires.
“My advice to him is to go to Saudi Arabia and play two years and make money and come back to Europe… Remember, we are from Africa.”
Odion Ighalo wants Victor Osimhen to make a move to Saudi. pic.twitter.com/MmXIcTcDM9
— @ (@OneJoblessBoy) July 15, 2025
“Remember we are from Africa. Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi and the top footballers in Europe eat their money with just their immediate families,” Ighalo said.
“If they don’t help their brothers, it’s normal. Here in Africa, your money is everybody’s money. He should go to Saudi and take the money, it would solve all his problems.
“God forbid that he sustains a career-ending injury, the money he has made so far is what he will have to use to care for himself.
“He needs to make enough money now so that he will have something to fall back to.”
Napoli are stalling Osimhen’s move to Galatasaray. This means that a twist can still happen. If he opts to move to Saudi Arabia, he could become the highest-paid Nigerian footballer.