Sports
BREAKING: Osimhen moves to Turkey, to lace boots with Galatasaray
After failed deals with Chelsea of London and Al Ahli of Saudi Arabia, Victor Osimhen, Nigerian international and current reigning African Footballer of the Year (AFOTY), has finally landed a deal with Turkish side,
Galatasaray, as the last ditch effort to avoid being redundant in his current team – Napoli, in the Italian league.
Reports say the striker, whose career became threatened as a result of the imbroglio surrounding his transfer, which would leave him frozen from the Napoli squad till January, without a successful move, had been handed a season-long loan before the Turkish transfer window closes.
Renowned football journalist Gianluca Di Marzio reported that negotiations between the parties are underway, with all sides working to finalise the deal, a development, confirmed by transfer specialist, Fabrizio Romano, who said on Monday, that the deal did not include an option to sign the Nigerian permanently after the loan deal.
“Galatasaray have agreed to cover €9/10m as salary of Victor Osimhen until the end of the season. The loan deal agreed with Napoli does NOT include any buy option/obligation clause.
“One year loan, salary covered as Napoli have accepted these conditions. Gala’s delegation to meet with Osimhen in Napoli in next hours for final green light to the move,” Romano tweeted.
With the top five European leagues having shut their transfer windows, Turkey remains one of the few options for clubs looking to finalize late deals, and Galatasaray appears keen to seize this opportunity.
The urgency for Galatasaray to secure a striker has intensified following Mauro Icardi’s injury after the Argentine forward, who has been crucial to the team’s attack, was sidelined, leaving a significant gap in their frontline, resulting in the Turkish champions turning their attention to Osimhen, who they see as a viable option to bolster their attack.
The club is even considering a tactical shift to a 3-5-2 formation, which would allow both Icardi and Osimhen to play together once the former returns to fitness, reports say, adding that Osimhen’s potential move to Galatasaray would be a major coup for the Turkish side, as the 24-year-old striker has been one of the most sought-after talents in European football, attracting interest from several top clubs.
His powerful playstyle, clinical finishing, and ability to lead the line have made him a target for many, but Napoli’s high asking price has so far deterred permanent moves.
A loan deal, however, could provide a temporary solution for all parties involved.
Interestingly, Saudi Arabian clubs, who have been active in the transfer market, seem to have taken a backseat in this pursuit.
Clubs like Al-Ahli, who had previously shown interest in Osimhen, have now withdrawn their bid, citing that they are already well-stocked in the striker department.
This has left Galatasaray as one of the few remaining clubs with a realistic chance of landing the Nigerian forward.
With the Turkish transfer window set to close on September 13, Galatasaray are racing against time to secure Osimhen’s signature.
The club’s management is reportedly working around the clock to finalize the deal, aware that adding a player of Osimhen’s caliber could significantly enhance their domestic and European campaigns.
If the deal goes through, it would not only reinforce Galatasaray’s attacking options but also send a strong message to their rivals in Turkey and beyond.
The Victor Osimhen transfer saga has been one of the most talked-about stories of the summer. From being linked with moves to top clubs in England, Spain, and Saudi Arabia, to now potentially joining Galatasaray, the striker’s future has been the subject of intense speculation.
As the clock ticks down to the end of the Turkish transfer window, all eyes will be on Istanbul to see if Galatasaray can pull off what would be one of the biggest signings of the summer.
Manchester City beat Arsenal in their major Premier League title race clash at the Etihad thanks to Erling Haaland’s winner.
Pep Guardiola’s side defeated their rivals 2-1 on Sunday afternoon to move to within three points of the league leaders.
Rayan Cherki opened the scoring in the first half, before Kai Havertz pounced on a Gianluigi Donnarumma’s error to equalise.
And then during a tense second half, Haaland managed to find the all-important winner to sink the Gunners in Manchester.
Man City now know they can move to the top of the Premier League table with a win over Burnley on Wednesday, live on talkSPORT.
Erling Haaland’s goal is the difference and Man City now have the chance to move to the top of the Premier League.
They’ll be celebrating tonight – but not too hard, ahead of their meeting with Burnley on Wednesday, live on talkSPORT.
As for Arsenal, it’s a nightmare evening for them.
The Gunners had the quadruple in their sights a few weeks ago, but now, after losing four of their last six, hopes are doomed.
There will be no Carabao Cup, no FA Cup, and now potentially no Premier League following their dismal run.C CB.
Real Sociedad edged Atletico Madrid 4-3 on penalties to win the Copa del Rey for a fourth time in the club’s history after a 2-2 draw in a gripping final on Saturday in Seville.
After Alexander Sorloth and Julian Alvarez missed from the spot for Diego Simeone’s Atletico, Pablo Marin smashed home his kick to claim victory for the Basque side.
Ander Barrenetxea had headed Real Sociedad ahead after just 14 seconds, with Ademola Lookman levelling for Atletico.
Mikel Oyarzabal put the Basque side ahead from the penalty spot before the break but Alvarez rescued Atletico and forced extra time and ultimately penalties with a superb strike.
La Real’s season seemed set to be one of struggle until American coach Pellegrino Matarazzo was appointed in December, and he resuscitated their campaign.
At La Cartuja stadium it was a battle between two teams that often attack fast and direct, and Real Sociedad certainly did that, netting the quickest ever goal scored in a Copa del Rey final.
Goncalo Guedes scampered away down the left on to a long ball, crossing for Barrenetxea to head beyond Juan Musso before the Rojiblancos had even touched the ball.
Simeone’s side, who last won the competition back in 2013 near the start of his 14-year reign, wrestled their way back level through Lookman.
Antoine Griezmann laid off the ball to him on the edge of the box and without much on, the Nigeria international spied a route to goal and drilled into the bottom corner.
Lookman almost created a goal for Griezmann but Real Sociedad scrambled to block the 35-year-old French forward, who is leaving Atletico at the end of the season for MLS side Orlando City.
Atletico goalkeeper Musso, chosen ahead of the fit-again Jan Oblak after he impressed during the Slovenian’s recent injury absence, handed La Real the lead again just before the break.
Musso clumsily clattered Guedes fists first as the Portuguese leapt for a header and the Basque side were awarded a penalty.
Oyarzabal, who scored from the spot when they won the 2020 edition, without their fans present because of the global pandemic, sent Musso the wrong way.
After a first half in which they struggled, Atletico began to build some pressure after the interval.
Griezmann lashed over and Lookman whipped a shot high and wide as La Real tried to stave off the Rojiblancos, who dominated the ball.
Alvarez forces extra time
Simeone called for his battering ram, sending on Norwegian target man Sorloth to try and force a way through.
Eventually the goal they craved came from the guile of former Manchester City striker Alvarez instead.
The Argentina forward took a neat touch to spin on the edge of the box and then another to plant the ball in the top corner for his 19th goal of the season.
With La Real caving Johnny Cardoso should have won it for Atletico in stoppage time. The American fired a golden opening wide of the far post with just goalkeeper Unai Marrero to beat.
Musso made a fine save to thwart Icelandic striker Orri Oskarsson as he tried to turn home a rebound in extra time.
At the other end Alvarez crashed a shot off the crossbar from long range, with both teams creating enough opportunities to win it before penalties.
Marrero denied both Sorloth and Alvarez on Atletico’s first two penalties, with Musso stopping one from Oskarsson to give Atletico a chance.
However Marin made no mistake with Real Sociedad’s fifth penalty to spark wild celebrations.
Atletico’s last realistic chance of silverware this season, and something for Griezmann to celebrate on his departure, is in the Champions League where they face Arsenal in the semi-finals.
AFP
Manchester United beat Chelsea 1-0 away at Stamford Bridge to put a huge 10-point gap between Michael Carrick’s Red Devils in third and Liam Rosenior’s hapless Blues in sixth
United take three vital points at Stamford Bridge to further strengthen their ambitions of European football next season.
Matheus Cunha scored the only goal of the game shortly before half-time to maintain interim manager Michael Carrick’s impressive tenure since taking charge in January.
For the Blues, who saw a goal ruled out and twice hit the woodwork, they remain in sixth but failed to make a dent in the four-point gap between them and fifth-placed Liverpool.
The result means Liam Rosenior’s side are on a run of four successive top-flight defeats for the first time since the 1990s – doing so without scoring a single goal.
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