“There’s time to go elsewhere” – Former Italy manager tells Osimhen to ignore Saudi calls

Former Italy and Roma head coach, Cesare Prandelli, has encouraged Super Eagles and Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen, to ignore Saudi Arabian clubs and focus on building a career in Europe, Soccernet.ng reports.

The CAF Player of the Year has been linked with a move away from Italy in the past few months, with Arsenal, Chelsea, and Paris Saint-Germain tipped to be his likely destinations.

While personal terms do not seem to be a problem for these European clubs, Osimhen’s €130 million release clause has made clubs turn their backs away.

There have been several offers from these clubs, including a player plus cash exchange that would amount to the striker’s exit clause, but Napoli do not want any exchange. They want the money.

Two Saudi Arabian clubs, Al Ahli and Al Hilal, are also interested in the services of the former Wolfsburg man, and for these clubs, triggering Osimhen’s clause is not a problem as it simply banks on the strikers’ “yes”.

The financial package involved is tempting to the Super Eagles star, considering he rejected an offer from Saudi Arabia to stay in Naples last summer.

Former Italy manager, Cesare Prandelli reiterated Mikel Obi’s thoughts on Osimhen’s future, telling the striker to make a mark in Europe’s top leagues in his prime, before heading to the Middle East.

“Osimhen in Arabia? A champion must establish himself in Europe, he has the chance. There will be time to go elsewhere,” the EURO 2012 silver medalist said on Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli in quotes revealed by Sports2u.

Napoli have been negotiating with Romelu Lukaku, and as per multiple reports, the Belgian has agreed to sign a three-year deal that’ll see him re-unite with Antonio Conte, but Osimhen’s stay at the club puts the deal on hold.

Adefolahan Guerreiro

Adefolahan is a multilingual journalist and writer at Soccernet Nigeria.

With a track record of involvement in College sports, Adefolahan is focused on crafting engaging football content and utilising his language skills and extensive sports knowledge to enhance content accessibility for a global audience.

He has interviewed Nigerian stars like Finidi George, Junior Lokosa, and Abraham Onahi Ogbu.