Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen has turned down a move to join Chelsea Football Club and opted for a lucrative contract that would see him leaving Europe for Saudi Arabia.
Skysport reported that the Nigerian forward would prefer a move to join Saudi Arabian side Al Ahli in a four-year deal with his former employers; Napoli expected to earn £67.3m (€80m) plus add-ons for the Nigeria international.
Recall that Osimhen had reportedly agreed to join Chelsea on a €350,000 weekly pay, taking a major step closer to realising his dream Premier League move, but some significant news regarding the Chelsea target reveals that Osimhen would rather ply his trade in the Saudi Pro League.
Before agreeing to the Saudi move, Osimhen’s agent Roberto Calenda insisted “he still has so much to do in Europe” – a statement which appeared to give Chelsea every chance to come up with an acceptable offer.
But the west London club have fallen way short of what Osimhen would want, with Chelsea needing him to fit into their new wage structure.
READ ALSO: Osimhen ready for Chelsea with €350,000 weekly but Saudi persists
There was then a further blow to Chelsea in their search for a proven goalscorer to be their new No 9 as Al Ahli also agreed a fee for Toney.
The England international has less than one year left on his Bees deal.
Toney was left out of Brentford’s first two Premier League games against Crystal Palace and Liverpool, and was also omitted from the squad for Wednesday’s Carabao Cup second-round win at Colchester United.
There is, however, some doubt over the double deal with senior sources in Saudi Arabia saying they do not see how it is possible for Al Ahli to sign Osimhen and Toney.
Al Ahli do not have two slots available for two foreign players – unless one of them is Under 21. Saudi Pro League clubs are allowed 10 foreign players in their 25-player squads.
Sky Sports News also gathered that Al Ahli do not need another two strikers and they do not have the budget for both players.
To sign both players Al Ahli would have until Monday night’s midnight SPL deadline to free up a slot by selling a foreign player.
Credible News.ng
