Victor Osimhen is on the verge of shattering African football’s earnings record after Saudi giants Al-Hilal submitted an upgraded mega-offer worth €50 million per year—excluding bonuses—in a bold move to lure the Napoli striker ahead of the Club World Cup.
The 26-year-old Super Eagles star, whose current contract with Napoli includes a €75 million release clause, had earlier turned down a €30 million per year package from the Riyadh-based club. Sources close to the negotiations now confirm that Al-Hilal has returned with a substantially improved offer designed to make Osimhen the highest-paid African footballer in history.
Goal.com reports that Al-Hilal remains undeterred by Napoli’s resistance and the player’s earlier refusal, intensifying talks as they aim to finalize the deal before the summer transfer window closes. If Osimhen accepts the latest offer, he will surpass Riyad Mahrez, who currently holds the record as Africa’s top earner with weekly wages of €1,003,846 at Al-Ahli.
Despite interest from top clubs in the Premier League and Ligue 1, the Saudi Pro League has made it clear they intend to build their next-generation super team around Osimhen, known for his pace, aerial dominance, and lethal finishing. Club insiders say Al-Hilal sees Osimhen not just as a player but as a global brand capable of driving fan engagement across Africa and the Middle East.
This latest move follows Saudi Arabia’s high-stakes football revolution, which has already drawn stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Sadio Mané, and Neymar. With Osimhen entering his prime and coming off a stellar Serie A season, the financial package is aimed at matching ambition with reward.
Napoli, meanwhile, are in a tight spot. Club president Aurelio De Laurentiis is reportedly unwilling to let go of his prized asset without assurances of a marquee replacement. Talks are ongoing, and agents on both sides are now working under intense pressure as Al-Hilal insists on concluding the transfer before July to integrate Osimhen into pre-season plans.
Osimhen has yet to make a public comment, but with €50 million per year on the table, football fans across Africa and Europe are watching closely—because this is more than a transfer; it’s a power shift in the global game.
