- Napoli’s Victor Osimhen prefers playing in Major League Soccer (MLS) over the Saudi Pro League under the “same conditions”
- Osimhen acknowledges the improved competitiveness in the Saudi Pro League but has expressed his happiness at Napoli and Serie A’s challenges
Napoli forward Victor Osimhen has expressed his preference for playing in Major League Soccer (MLS) over the Saudi Pro League if offered the “same conditions.” This comes after Osimhen had a lucrative offer from Saudi side Al Hilal that was reportedly rejected by Napoli.
In an interview on Twitch with Emiliano Viviano and former Italy forward Mario Balotelli, Osimhen stated that he is happy at Napoli. He also mentioned that Serie A is one of the most difficult leagues to play in, both tactically and physically.
When asked if he would choose to play in the MLS or Saudi Pro League under the same conditions, Osimhen said, “If I had the same conditions, I would go to MLS.”
However, Osimhen did acknowledge the positive developments in the Saudi Pro League. The league has attracted several big names, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and Neymar Jr. Since Ronaldo’s arrival in Al Nassr, the Saudi league has been making efforts to enhance its competitiveness. Last summer, Saudi clubs spent almost $1 billion to acquire 94 overseas players from Europe’s major leagues.
Osimhen’s future remains uncertain, as he has yet to sign a new contract extension with Napoli. The club is hopeful that he will eventually commit to a new deal, but a statement from Napoli on October 20 indicated that Osimhen had “second thoughts” about extending his contract beyond 2025.
Despite the ongoing negotiations, Osimhen’s current agreement with Napoli is set to expire in June 2025. He joined the club in the summer of 2020 and played a key role in helping them win the Serie A title last season, their first in 33 years.