Victor Osimhen Agrees €350,000 Weekly Wage with Chelsea, But Saudi Clubs Remain in the Race

Chelsea Football Club is on the verge of completing a sensational transfer for Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, who has reportedly agreed to personal terms with the club. The deal, which includes a staggering €350,000 weekly wage, would make Osimhen one of the highest-paid players in the Premier League. However, despite the advanced negotiations with Chelsea, the transfer saga is far from over, as several Saudi Arabian clubs remain in the race to sign the prolific forward.

Victor Osimhen, 25, has been one of Europe’s most sought-after strikers, following a stellar season with Napoli in Serie A, where he scored 26 goals and helped the club secure their first league title in over three decades. His performances have attracted interest from top clubs across Europe, with Chelsea emerging as the frontrunners to secure his signature.

Chelsea’s pursuit of Osimhen is part of their broader strategy to rebuild the squad under manager Mauricio Pochettino. After a disappointing season in which the club finished outside the top four, Chelsea’s new ownership group, led by Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali, has committed significant resources to strengthening the team. The acquisition of Osimhen is seen as a statement of intent, signaling the club’s determination to return to the top of English and European football.

According to sources close to the negotiations, Chelsea has offered Osimhen a lucrative contract worth €350,000 per week, which would place him among the highest earners at Stamford Bridge. The Nigerian striker is reportedly keen on the move, attracted by the prospect of playing in the Premier League and the opportunity to work under Pochettino, who is known for his ability to develop attacking talent.

Despite Chelsea’s progress in negotiations, the deal is not yet finalized, as several Saudi Arabian clubs have expressed interest in signing Osimhen. The Saudi Pro League has made headlines in recent transfer windows by luring top European stars with astronomical wages, and Osimhen is no exception.

Clubs such as Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr, backed by the Saudi government’s Vision 2030 initiative, have reportedly made offers to Osimhen that would dwarf Chelsea’s €350,000 weekly wage. These clubs are willing to pay Osimhen upwards of €500,000 per week, along with significant signing bonuses, in an effort to persuade him to move to the Middle East.

The prospect of such financial rewards has made Osimhen’s decision more complex. While the Premier League offers a higher level of competition and global exposure, the financial incentives offered by Saudi clubs are difficult to ignore. Osimhen’s representatives are believed to be weighing the various options, with a final decision expected in the coming days.

Napoli, Osimhen’s current club, is also playing a key role in the ongoing negotiations. The Italian champions are aware of the intense interest in their star striker and have set a high asking price for his transfer. Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has reportedly valued Osimhen at €150 million, a figure that would make him one of the most expensive transfers in football history.

Chelsea is believed to be prepared to meet Napoli’s valuation, but the structure of the deal, including payment terms and potential add-ons, is still being negotiated. Meanwhile, Saudi clubs are also willing to meet Napoli’s demands, meaning the Italian side is in a strong position to maximize their return on Osimhen.

Napoli is already considering potential replacements for Osimhen, with names such as Rasmus Højlund of Atalanta and Jonathan David of Lille being linked to the club. De Laurentiis has insisted that Napoli will not be pressured into selling unless their valuation is met, but the club is also aware that retaining a player who has expressed a desire to move could disrupt the squad.

Victor Osimhen’s rise to stardom has been meteoric. After starting his career in Nigeria with the Ultimate Strikers Academy, he moved to Europe to join VfL Wolfsburg in 2017. His breakthrough came during a loan spell at Belgian club Charleroi, where he scored 20 goals in 36 appearances. This earned him a move to Lille in 2019, where his performances in Ligue 1 caught the attention of Napoli, who signed him in 2020 for a then-club-record fee.

Since joining Napoli, Osimhen has established himself as one of the most lethal strikers in Europe, with his pace, strength, and clinical finishing making him a nightmare for defenders. His exploits in Serie A and the Champions League have made him a household name, and his potential move to Chelsea would be seen as the next step in his career.

However, the lure of Saudi Arabia’s financial offers could see Osimhen take a different path, prioritizing the economic benefits over the competitive environment of the Premier League. Whatever his decision, Osimhen’s future will have significant implications for the clubs involved and for his own legacy in the sport.

As the transfer window enters its final stages, the race to sign Victor Osimhen is heating up. Chelsea’s offer of a €350,000 weekly wage has positioned them as strong contenders, but the interest from Saudi Arabian clubs adds a layer of complexity to the negotiations. Napoli’s stance on the transfer fee will also play a crucial role in determining the outcome.

Football fans around the world are eagerly awaiting the resolution of this transfer saga, as Victor Osimhen’s next move could shape the landscape of European and Middle Eastern football for years to come. Whether he ends up at Stamford Bridge or in Saudi Arabia, Osimhen’s decision will be one of the defining moments of the summer transfer window.