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PSG keen on Osimhen as Mbappe replacement

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According to reports from the paper, Paris Saint Germane have reportedly found Kylian Mbappe’s replacement who is set depart the club when his contract expires at the end of the season.

This was made known in a latest post by BBC Sport X Platform

Osimhen, a 24-year-old Nigerian international, is being considered by PSG as the ideal candidate to step into Mbappe’s shoes. The French club is weighing up a move for Osimhen in the upcoming transfer window.

Having joined Napoli from Lille in 2020, Osimhen has become a key player for the Italian side, scoring an impressive 67 goals in 119 matches. He played a pivotal role in Napoli’s Serie A triumph last season, netting 26 goals in 32 league appearances.

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Osimhen kickstarted his professional career at Wolfsburg in Germany before going on loan to Charleroi in Belgium. He later made a permanent switch to Lille, where he scored 18 goals in a single season before securing a high-profile move to Napoli for a club-record fee of €70 million, potentially rising to €80 million with add-ons.

Luis Campos, currently working as a football advisor at PSG, was instrumental in bringing Osimhen to Lille in the past. Napoli’s president, Aurelio de Laurentiis, has a track record of approving striker transfers to PSG, with Edinson Cavani and Ezequiel Lavezzi being notable examples. In 2022, midfielder Fabian Ruiz also made the move from Napoli to PSG.

PSG have been strengthening their attacking options with significant signings, including Goncalo Ramos and Randal Kolo Muani last summer, as well as wide forwards Ousmane Dembele from Barcelona and Marco Asensio from Real Madrid. The addition of Bradley Barcola from Lyon further enhances their attacking depth.

Earlier reports indicated that Nigeria, despite losing the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) final, has climbed 14 places in the new FIFA global rankings, now sitting in 28th place globally and ranking third in Africa after Morocco and Senegal.

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Anthony Joshua knocks out Kristian Prenga after initial scare

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Anthony Joshua remains on course for a showdown with British heavyweight rival Tyson Fury later this year after recovering from being knocked down inside 20 seconds to secure a second-round knockout of Kristian Prenga in a wild clash in Jeddah.

Joshua endured a dismal first three minutes, hitting the canvas twice, firstly from a vicious uppercut, with the Albanian knockout specialist eyeing a seismic shock.

However, Prenga was demolished shortly after by right hands in AJ’s first outing since he was a passenger in a car crash last December that killed close friends Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele.

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Arsenal in surprise drive for Vinícius Jr. amid Real Madrid contract uncertainty

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Arsenal are reportedly considering the possibility of signing Real Madrid superstar Vinícius Júnior in what could become one of the biggest transfer stories of the summer.

According to respected transfer journalist David Ornstein, the Gunners have internally approved the idea of pursuing the Brazilian winger if he fails to agree a new contract with the Spanish giants.

While there have been no club-to-club negotiations at this stage, the interest is said to have the backing of Arsenal’s hierarchy, with the North London club closely monitoring the player’s contract situation.

Vinícius has entered the final 12 months of his current deal at Real Madrid, raising questions about his long-term future at the Santiago Bernabéu. Madrid are keen to avoid losing one of their biggest stars on a free transfer and are also mindful of a substantial loyalty bonus that would become due if he remains at the club into next season.

Despite the growing speculation, the move remains in its early stages, with no formal talks having taken place between the clubs. However, Ornstein reports that Vinícius is among Arsenal’s primary transfer targets should an opportunity arise.

The Brazilian international has established himself as one of the world’s top attacking players since joining Real Madrid, playing a key role in the club’s domestic and European successes. Any potential deal would likely require a significant transfer fee and a major financial commitment from Arsenal.

For now, Arsenal are keeping a close watch on developments, with Vinícius’ contract negotiations expected to determine whether the Premier League side can turn their ambitious interest into a formal pursuit.

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Just in: 23m support petition to ban Argentina from World Cup as FIFA pushes back

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An online petition calling for Argentina to be banned from the FIFA World Cup has attracted more than 23 million signatures from football fans across the globe, following the conclusion of the 2026 tournament.

According to talkSPORT, the petition, titled “Argentina Out,” amassed 23,316,108 signatures from supporters in 170 countries in less than a week, making it one of the most widely shared online petitions in history.

Organisers had initially hoped to collect five million signatures, but the campaign quickly surpassed that target as frustration over Argentina’s performances and officiating during the tournament spread among football fans.

The petition accused FIFA and match officials of showing favoritism toward Argentina and captain Lionel Messi throughout the competition, allegations that FIFA has consistently denied.

The petition stated: “Why should the rest of the teams play in the tournament if the winner is known in advance? Exclude Argentina from the World Cup and give everyone a fair chance.” The campaign gained momentum during the World Cup but ultimately failed to achieve its objective.

Argentina’s campaign ended in disappointment after a 1-0 defeat to Spain in Sunday’s World Cup final. Messi, playing what many believe could be his final World Cup, was seen leaving the pitch in tears following emotional scenes after the final whistle.

The petition was officially closed after the tournament ended, with its website displaying the message: “FIFA ignored us but Spain delivered. Thank you Spain.” Despite the campaign’s widespread support, Argentina faces no disciplinary action and will continue to participate in future FIFA World Cup competitions.

The South American giants are expected to feature in the 2030 tournament, where they are among the nations scheduled to co-host an expanded 64-team competition. Although the petition drew more than 23 million signatures, it narrowly missed becoming the largest online petition ever recorded.

The current Guinness World Record remains with the Jubilee 2000 campaign, an international movement that called for the cancellation of unpayable debts owed by the world’s poorest nations.

Launched in April 1997, the campaign collected 24,319,181 signatures from 166 countries before being presented at the United Nations Millennium Summit in New York in 2000.

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