Napoli striker Victor Osimhen says he would rather play in MLS than in the Saudi Pro League if offered the same conditions.
Osimhen who is now 24 years old had a tempting offer from Saudi club Al Hilal this summer which was reportedly rejected by Napoli.
“I’m happy at Napoli,” said Osimhen in a Twitch interview with Emiliano Viviano and former Italy striker Mario Balotelli.
“People don’t know how difficult it is to play in Serie A. From a tactical and physical point of view, it’s one of the most difficult leagues to play in.”
Asked if he would prefer to play in MLS or the Saudi Pro League if given the same conditions, Osimhen said: “If I had the same conditions, I would go to MLS.”
But Osimhen praised the Saudi Pro League.
Since Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival at Al Nassr last January, the Saudi League has attracted some of the sport’s biggest names, including 2022 Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema and Brazilian forward Neymar Jr.
Last summer, Saudi clubs spent nearly $1 billion to acquire 94 foreign players from major European leagues.
“They’re trying to grow their league, and that’s good,” Osimhen said.
“One of the greatest [Ronaldo] of all time went there. Because of his [Ronaldo] influence, they attracted many talented players to also go there. So for me that’s great, they’re trying to build their league. be one of the best. To me they did something extraordinary.”
Osimhen has not made a decision about his future. Despite months of talks over a contract extension, the Nigeria international is yet to sign a new contract with his current deal set to expire in June 2025.
Napoli still hopes that Osimhen will sign a new contract even though the club claims that the player is reconsidering whether to stay at the club after 2025.
“After long negotiations, which culminated in a handshake confirming the desire to continue the relationship, Victor changed his mind,” Napoli said in a statement on October 20.
Osimhen, who joined Napoli in the summer of 2020 from Lille, scored 31 goals last season to help them win the Serie A title for the first time in 33 years.
