The club tabled a humongous 200m euro bid for the Nigerian with several reports claiming the former Lille man had even reached an agreement with Al-Hilal.
Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen admits it was difficult for him to turn down an offer in Saudi Arabia.
The Napoli hitman was on the radar of Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal in the summer after a title-winning campaign with the Italian side.
The club tabled a humongous 200m euro bid for the Nigerian with several reports claiming the former Lille man had even reached an agreement with Al-Hilal.
But months after the failed bid, Osimhen has broken the silence over the move which he described as “crazy”.
According to him, it was difficult to turn down the mouth-watering offer.
“I have to be honest, I never thought about leaving last summer because Napoli wanted to keep me,” Osimhen said on the ‘Obi One Podcast’ with former Nigerian captain Mikel Obi.
“But when the offer came from Saudi Arabia, a huge offer, it was hard to refuse. I spoke to Napoli and decided to stay.”
While Al-Hilal wanted the Nigerian’s signature, the strike did not regret turning down the offer.
“It was crazy. 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. No regrets,” he said.
A move to Saudi Arabia would have seen the forward join the growing list of top footballers heading to the Middle East. His compatriots Ahmed Musa and Odion Ighalo have also featured in the Saudi league.
But at the moment, Osimhen says he is now focused on his club career at Napoli despite interest from top teams in Europe such as Chelsea, and Manchester United, among others.
