Once upon a time in the world of football transfers, a Nigerian goal machine named Victor Osimhen stood at the center of a fierce tug-of-war between European giants and Middle Eastern powerhouses. The 26-year-old striker, who had conquered Serie A with Napoli and was now dazzling at Galatasaray, had suitors lining up for his signature.

Manchester United, long-time admirers of Osimhen, found themselves in a dilemma. The Red Devils had discussed bringing him to Old Trafford but were faced with a major hurdle—finances. His £63 million release clause might have been reasonable, but his £250,000+ weekly wage demands and high agent fees made the move almost impossible unless Napoli or Osimhen agreed to a loan. Unfortunately for United, the Nigerian star had made it clear—he wanted a permanent deal.

It wasn’t the first time United had chased him. Back in 2020, Osimhen had turned down a move to Manchester after speaking with compatriot Odion Ighalo, who advised him that his development would be better served elsewhere. That decision led him to Napoli, where he became one of the world’s deadliest strikers.

Meanwhile, Chelsea, another English club in need of a prolific No. 9, had their eyes on Osimhen but weren’t fully committed. Unlike United, Chelsea could afford him, but they preferred to focus on younger targets like Liam Delap, Benjamin Sesko, and Viktor Gyokeres.

With the Premier League clubs hesitant, other forces entered the fray. Paris Saint-Germain were keen to reunite Osimhen with his former Napoli teammate Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, having already agreed on terms with him last summer. However, the real financial muscle came from the Middle East.

The Saudi Pro League, a rising force in global football, had clubs circling. Al-Ahli, who were close to signing Osimhen last summer before settling for Ivan Toney, had stepped back, but new contenders emerged. Al-Qadsiah and Ittihad were ready to make their move—Qadsiah already had Aubameyang but were looking for a younger striker, while Ittihad needed a long-term replacement for Karim Benzema.

Even Al-Nassr could be in the mix—if Cristiano Ronaldo chose not to extend his stay, they would need a new talisman. However, if Ronaldo stayed, they would shift their focus to signing a winger instead.

As the summer transfer window approached, Osimhen stood at a crossroads. Would he fulfill his long-awaited Premier League dream, link up with PSG’s elite squad, or follow the lucrative call of Saudi Arabia? The battle for his signature had only just begun.