Galatasaray preserved control over Victor Osimhen's immediate future by refusing a large transfer approach from Al-Hilal, rejecting both the fee on offer and a lucrative personal contract. Turkish outlets Fanatik and Türkiye Gazetesi report Al-Hilal increased an opening valuation of €130 million to €150 million after the Turkish champions signalled no intention of selling. Alongside the fee, the Saudi side reportedly dangled a net annual salary of €50 million for the 27-year-old striker.
Club leaders took the decision personally. Galatasaray president Dursun Özbek and the board are said to have declined to move into formal negotiations with Al-Hilal, effectively ending the bid at that stage. The Saudi club had stepped up its pursuit after Galatasaray made clear the player was not for sale this summer, according to those reports.
The refusal has immediate implications for transfer markets and for clubs still seeking a high-end centre forward. Arsenal continue to explore options to reinforce their attack as the window closes, with Osimhen identified as a possible target after the Gunners' chase for Atlético Madrid's Julián Álvarez proved increasingly difficult. The Nigerian has drawn interest from several big clubs in recent windows, with Manchester United linked previously and Chelsea reportedly close to a 2024 deal that ultimately did not materialise.
Reports also suggest Osimhen has signalled that financial terms will not be the decisive factor in his next move, a stance that would blunt the impact of Al-Hilal's €50 million salary offer. That preference, coupled with Galatasaray's firm position, reduces the chance a transfer will be completed immediately and hands the Turkish club continued bargaining power.
What happens next is straightforward. If Galatasaray maintains its line, Arsenal and any other suitors must either meet the club's demands or pivot to alternatives. The episode also demonstrates that Saudi clubs will push valuations higher when targeting elite forwards, a dynamic that could shape negotiations elsewhere this summer.
