Africa’s top 5 highest paid players with Osimhen set for new Napoli contract

Victor Osimhen seems to be the latest African player to bag a lucrative deal as the Nigerian forward has been offered a mega new contract by reigning Serie A champions Napoli.

The 24-year-old forward, who was on Monday, December 11, crowned as the Africa Player of the Year, has reached an agreement with the Italian champions on a contract until 2026.

According to GOAL, Osimhen’s new deal with Napoli, which has a potential whopping €130m release clause, will make him one of the highest-paid players in the history of the Italian club.

The Super Eagles forward will become one of Africa’s highest earners in football, joining the likes of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane on the list when Partenopei confirms the deal and discloses the details to the public.

Here, Sports Brief, alongside Sportskeeda, takes a look at Africa's current top five highest-paid footballers in the world before the Osimhen deal is wrapped up.

Africa’s 5 highest-paid players

5. Mohamed Salah (Egypt/Liverpool) - £350,000 per week

Mohamed Salah is one of Africa's greatest attacking players. Since joining Liverpool in the summer of 2017, the Egypt international has been outstanding.

Salah, who has won one Champions League title, one Premier League title, one FA Cup and one Carabao Cup with Liverpool, takes home £350,000 per week in wages.

4. Franck Kessie (Ivory Coast/Al Ahli) - £354,000 per week

Frank Kessie was instrumental in AC Milan winning the Serie A title in 2021-22. The Ivorian midfielder elected not to renew his contract with the Italian giants and instead pursued an ill-advised move to Barcelona.

The 26-year-old struggled in his one season with the Catalan giants before moving on to join Saudi Pro League outfit Al Ahli, where he signed a three-year deal with a £354,000 per week pay package.

3. Kalidou Koulibaly (Senegal/Al Hilal) - £412,000 per week

Kalidou Koulibaly joined Saudi Pro League team Al Hilal from Chelsea this summer. Although he is no longer the player he once was, the Senegalese defender has the ability to outmuscle and outwit his opponents in the Pro League.

Koulibaly currently earns £412,000 per week in wages with his Saudi Arabian club.

2. Riyad Mahrez (Algeria/Al Ahli) - £481,000 per week

Riyad Mahrez had a fantastic career with Manchester City, winning one Champions League title, four Premier League crowns, two FA Cups, and three League Cups.

The 32-year-old signed a four-year contract with Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli in the summer and earns a whopping £481,000 each week.

1. Sadio Mane (Senegal/Al-Nassr) - £661,000 per week

Sadio Mane is one of the top-earning footballers on the planet right now, as the Senegalese forward has been pocketing a massive £661,000 per week in wages since joining Al-Nassr in the summer.

The 2022 Africa Player of the Year winner was sold to Al-Nassr in a deal worth €32 million by Bayern Munich after just one season in the Bundesliga, where he failed to establish himself following his successes at Liverpool.

Victor Osimhen commits future to Napoli

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Napoli have reportedly reached an agreement in principle with Victor Osimhen over a new contract as the Super Eagles forward prepares to extend his stay in Italy with the Serie A champions.

The 24-year-old forward scored 26 goals last season, helping the Neapolitans end their 33-year wait for the Scudetto and also becoming the first African to win the league's top scorer's award.

Transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano confirmed via a post on X (formerly Twitter) that Osimhen’s latest contract at Napoli could have a potential release clause of €130 million.