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Saudi Arabia has been splurging huge money to become a leading force in global soccer. In recent months, Saudi clubs have successfully recruited some of the sport’s most prominent names through lucrative offers. It appears Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen also caught the eye of Saudi team Al Hilal. Reports indicate that they proposed a contract that was a tough one for the youngster to turn down.

Victor Osimhen enjoyed an outstanding 2022-23 season with Napoli. The 24-year-old scored an impressive 31 goals across all competitions. The stellar performance even earned him eighth position in the 2023 Ballon d’Or rankings. Given his remarkable goalscoring form for Napoli, it is understandable that Osimhen’s talent likewise attracted interest from Saudi Arabian clubs.

Al Hilal made Victor Osimhen a pretty attractive offer

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During the summer transfer window, Al Hilal made several headlines with their lucrative offers to players. With contracts worth billions, the team tried the possibility of acquiring world-renowned talents such as Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe. While those deals did not come to fruition, Al Hilal did finalize the high-profile transfer of Neymar Jr. The Nigerian striker Osimhen was also on their wishlist.

The Saudi giants made an extensive effort to persuade the young striker to join. This was revealed in a recent podcast interview, where the striker disclosed the specifics of Al Hilal’s pursuit of his signing. Osimhen described it as a “crazy” experience.

The Nigerian stated, “The more I said no, the more they increased their financial offer again and again. It was difficult to refuse and it would change my life”. Osimhen admitted that it was difficult to turn down such a life-changing opportunity. “But I finally said no guys, I’m staying,” Osimhen added.

This revelation further sheds light on the extent to which Saudi clubs aspire in their pursuit to recruit top stars. Their vision and financial backing have empowered them to compete with some of the most prominent clubs for the signing of world-class players. It’s worth noting that it’s not just male star athletes that Saudi Arabia is pursuing.

Saudi Arabia also looking to dominate the women’s soccer scene

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Last month, Saudi Arabia expressed interest in recruiting talented female soccer players. Reports indicated that the Saudi Women’s Pro League aims to expand its reach. They aim to do so by bringing in top talents from around the globe. It was revealed that several agents reached out to intermediaries representing female players aged between 24 and 28 years old.

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Clearly, the Saudis are committed to growing soccer within their nation and making a global impact on the sport. As Saudi clubs continue to make waves in the soccer world, it will be fascinating to see which other players they manage to attract in upcoming transfer windows.

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