Napoli striker Victor Osimhen is moving towards a Saudi Pro League transfer despite long-standing interest from Chelsea.
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Napoli deal with Al-Ahli in final stagesOsimhen yet to agree personal termsChelsea still searching for strikerWHAT HAPPENED?
According to , Napoli are ironing out a total package for Osimhen worth in excess of €65 million (£55m/$73m) that would see him join Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia. The deal between the clubs is described as "almost done, pending small details".
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It would give Osimhen the exit from Napoli that he has sought this summer – the Nigeria international has not been involved in either of the team's opening two Serie A fixtures – but an agreement with Al-Ahli from his perspective is not reached. Romano adds that Osimhen is asking for an "important salary" and demands that any contract contains a release clause. If he doesn't accept the terms on offer, it would derail the whole deal. add that Osimhen would still prefer a move to Europe.
DID YOU KNOW?
Chelsea have been consistently linked with Osimhen for the last couple of years and, despite 11 new arrivals already this summer, new manager Enzo Maresca has teased the pursuit of another striker: "If we have the chance to bring in a nine that can help us and make the difference, then we are going to try. Otherwise, we are okay. We do not need to sign players just to sign players."
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Chelsea have just four more days until the summer transfer deadline for Premier League clubs, which means they will need to act fast if they want more than just Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu as their striker options until at least January. There is less rush for Al-Ahli as the Saudi Pro League window is open until October 6, according to FIFA's official calendar. But Napoli will want things sorted quicker than that, having not yet been able to recruit a replacement striker for Osimhen themselves.
