Napoli forward, Victor Osimhen, has explained why he chose to reject the offer from Saudi Arabia despite knowing it ‘would’ve changed his life’.
Speaking with John Obi Mikel on the ‘Obi One Podcast’, he said it was a tough choice but he had two other clubs in mind.
Mikel had urged Osimhen to move to Chelsea next summer, as he said the club was deperately looking for someone like him.
“Next season I know you will come to Chelsea man! I tell you, I will be the agent who will broker that deal. I will make sure it happens. We are desperate for someone like you since Drogba left the club,” he said.
In response, the 24-year-old said; “I don’t have a favourite Premier League club, but I have two shirts, Chelsea and Manchester United. Many of my friends are Chelsea fans, a few Man United. The Premier League is the most popular league for any African player, it’s a great league”.
Saudi side Al-Hilal offered €200m in a serious attempt to sign Osimhen in the summer, but Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis refused to accept, making it clear that he wasn’t ready to let the star striker leave just yet.
Reflecting on the snubbed offer, the Nigeria internatinal said it was hard to refuse at first but he decided to stay after a serious talk with Napoli.
“What was said is true. I have to be honest, I never thought about leaving last summer because Napoli wanted to keep me, but when the offer came from Saudi Arabia, a huge offer, it was hard to refuse. I spoke to Napoli and decided to stay.
“It was crazzy… The more I said no, the more they increased the financial offer. It would have changed my life, they never gave up. But I said, no guys, I’m staying,” Osimhen said.
