Pedullà: ‘Osimhen one of the most complicated players in history of transfers’ | OneFootball

Victor Osimhen represents ‘one of the most complicated players in the history of the transfer market,’ warns Football Italia’s own expert Alfredo Pedullà, as the Napoli-owned striker’s future remains an enigma.

The striker turned down a huge salary proposal from Al-Hilal, who had been prepared to meet the €75m release clause in his contract, through the Saudi Pro League side have not yet given up on convincing him after the Club World Cup.

Juventus, Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool remain on the horizon, but none of them seem prepared to step up yet, while Galatasaray would struggle to match his wages and the transfer fee after his loan spell with them.

The trouble with Osimhen

ISTANBUL, TURKEY – NOVEMBER 7: Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray reacts during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Galatasaray A.S. and Tottenham Hotspur at Ali Sami Yen Spor Kompleksi on November 07, 2024 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images)

Pedullà sat down with The Italian Football Podcast to discuss the current landscape and specifically Osimhen.

“Look, with Osimhen it’s something that can change every day. I think he’s been one of the most complicated players in the history of the market in the last 10 years.

“It was already complicated last summer, you’ll remember. Then he decided to choose Galatasaray. Now, if he wanted to take the money, excuse me if I tell you something so clearly, without beating around the bush, he would already be the new striker of Al Hilal.

“Al Hilal offered him €35m a season plus bonuses to get to €40m. Then there was the Club World Cup. And he, like Theo Hernandez, decided not to go.

“I don’t rule out that they might try again, but I know that he has always closed the door to Saudi Arabia. Because he doesn’t like it, he doesn’t want to go. He is still young, he doesn’t want to go at 27. Knowing him, he would get tired after a week, two months and then he would return to Italy. You know, with money you can convince anyone, but at the moment it’s a no.”

UDINE, ITALY – MAY 06: Victor Osimhen of SSC Napoli looks on during the Serie A TIM match between Udinese Calcio and SSC Napoli at Dacia Arena on May 06, 2024 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Juventus cannot activate the release clause for €75m, because Napoli had it written in that this would only be valid for clubs outside of Italy, precisely to avoid a repeat of the Bianconeri poaching star striker Gonzalo Higuain.

They are looking at several different centre-forwards to replace Dusan Vlahovic this summer, but a shift behind the scenes with the removal of former Napoli director of sport Cristiano Giuntoli – the man who brought Osimhen to Italy in the first place – changes the scenario.

“I also tell you that Galatasaray is hoping but it’s not easy, that the Premier League clubs as of today have not made any concrete moves so far and Juventus cannot be excluded, but it is an operation that costs money,” continued Pedullà.

“If Giuntoli had stayed, I would have told you today that Osimhen would have been the new Juventus striker with an 80% certainty after the Club World Cup. Now, without Giuntoli, maybe it won’t be 80%, but until he makes a decision, Juventus will have some hope to maybe bring this operation home later.

“So it’s a difficult situation. Every day he changes his mind. The night before he thinks one thing and the day after he thinks another. So he has to be followed step by step.”