Al Hilal prepare direct Osimhen talks with Galatasaray after €150m bid

Al Hilal president Prince Nawaf bin Saad is reportedly prepared to travel to Istanbul to hold direct talks with Galatasaray over a possible deal for Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen, after the Saudi Pro League club increased its offer to €150m.

Galatasaray have already rejected the latest proposal, which followed an earlier bid of €130m. The increased offer is part of an aggressive attempt by Al Hilal to persuade the Turkish champions to sell one of their most important players.

According to a report by KooraBreak, Prince Nawaf has told Galatasaray that he will visit Istanbul personally if negotiations become formal. He would then meet Galatasaray president Dursun Ozbek as Al Hilal seek to make progress on a transfer that could become one of the most expensive in football history.

The Saudi club have also reportedly offered Osimhen an annual salary of €50m. That package would provide a substantial financial incentive for the 27-year-old, although Galatasaray’s position remains a major obstacle to any agreement.

Earlier reports said Galatasaray rejected the €150m bid despite the increase from the initial €130m proposal. Ozbek had previously made it clear that the club did not want to sell Osimhen, leaving Al Hilal facing a difficult attempt to change the Turkish side’s stance.

Galatasaray paid Napoli €75m to sign the striker permanently last year, making Osimhen the most expensive player in Turkish football. He quickly became a central figure in the club’s attack and has continued to attract interest from teams in England.

Arsenal have been linked with Osimhen this summer, while Tottenham and other Premier League clubs have also been mentioned in reports about his future. The interest from England is significant because the striker has previously spoken openly about his ambition to play in the Premier League.

While he was still a Napoli player, Osimhen said in March 2023 that playing in England was his dream. He added that he was working hard to achieve that objective but described it as a process.

Sky Sports reported at the time that Manchester United were among the clubs interested in Osimhen. Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea had also previously monitored him during his time at Lille.

That long-standing ambition could influence the striker as Al Hilal attempt to convince him to move to Saudi Arabia rather than continue pursuing a career in England. The latest reports, however, indicate that Osimhen is happy in Istanbul and focused on the new season.

The situation means that financial terms alone may not determine the outcome. Al Hilal have already increased their transfer offer by €20m and are ready to present Osimhen with a €50m-a-year contract, but Galatasaray have still refused the latest bid.

Prince Nawaf’s reported willingness to travel to Istanbul would represent the next stage of the Saudi club’s pursuit if formal negotiations begin. Galatasaray, though, have made their position clear by turning down €150m.

Al Hilal must now decide whether to increase the pressure with another offer or attempt to persuade Ozbek that the latest proposal is too valuable for Galatasaray to reject.