Sports

BREAKING: Osimhen moves to Turkey, to lace boots with Galatasaray

Published

7 months ago

September 2, 2024

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.

Related Topics:Galatasaray Osimhen Turkey

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Real Madrid keeping tabs on Victor Osimhen

Published

12 hours ago

April 8, 2025

ADMIN

Spanish giants Real Madrid are reportedly keeping tabs on Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen as they consider potential additions ahead of the summer transfer window.

The 26-year-old forward, currently enjoying a prolific loan spell at Galatasaray, has been in fine form this season, notching 28 goals and providing five assists in 32 matches across all competitions.

Although Osimhen remains under contract with Serie A side Napoli, his future appears uncertain, and a permanent departure from the Italian club is expected in the coming months.

While Manchester United have long been linked with the Super Eagles star, Spanish outlet Fichajes claims that Real Madrid are now exploring the option of bringing him to the Bernabéu. The club reportedly views him as a possible replacement should Vinicius Junior make a surprise move to Saudi Arabia, where he continues to attract interest.

Osimhen joined Napoli from Lille in 2020 and has since established himself as one of Europe’s top attacking talents, scoring 76 goals and assisting 12 times in 133 games for the Italian side. His blend of pace, power, and finishing ability has earned him admiration across top European leagues.

Real Madrid’s potential bid adds to growing interest from Premier League clubs and teams in Saudi Arabia, as Osimhen’s release clause — reportedly set at €75 million — puts his signature well within reach for Europe’s elite.

As the summer window approaches, the race to land the Nigerian marksman is expected to intensify.

Sports

EPL: Southampton relegated in record time after Tottenham defeat

Published

2 days ago

April 7, 2025

Admin

Southampton were relegated from the Premier League in record-setting time after a 3-1 defeat at Tottenham on Sunday ended their brief stay in the top-flight.

Brennan Johnson struck twice in the first half and Mateus Fernandes’s late reply was too late to stop bottom of the table Southampton crashing back to the Championship.

Beaten for the 25th time in 31 games, Southampton are the first Premier League team to be relegated with seven matches still to play.

Ipswich and Derby were relegated with six games left in 1994-95 and 2007-08, respectively.

Ivan Juric’s side are also still one shy of matching Derby’s 2007-08 record low Premier League total points of 11.

Juric, whose team are without a win in their last seven league matches, admitted this week that avoiding the record low points tally is Southampton’s only target for the rest of their dismal season.

Southampton were pushed to the brink of relegation when fourth-bottom Wolves came from behind to beat Ipswich 2-1 on Saturday, leaving Saints 22 points from safety.

Their slide down to the second tier was confirmed 315 days after they clinched promotion by beating Leeds in the Championship play-off final at Wembley.

Russell Martin was architect of Southampton’s success in the Championship with an attacking approach, but his insistence on sticking to those tactics backfired badly in the top flight.

Martin was sacked in December after a 5-0 defeat against Tottenham left Southampton bottom of the table with just five points from 16 games.

Former Roma boss Juric was hired to replace Martin on an 18-month contract, but the Croatian was unable to save Southampton from going down with a whimper.

– No reprieve –

Tottenham have been in turmoil themselves for much of the season, with fan protests against chairman Daniel Ley before and during the game underlining the depth of the problems in north London.

But under-fire boss Ange Postecoglou, who was jeered by Tottenham fans during Thursday’s defeat at Chelsea, earned a little breathing space at Southampton’s expense.

Trying to avoid their lowest finish since 1993-94 — when they came 15th — Tottenham’s first win in five league games lifted them to 13th place.

It was a much-needed boost before their Europa League quarter-final first leg against Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday.

Postecoglou’s men took the lead in the 13th minute when Johnson fired into the roof of the net from Djed Spence’s cut-back for his 15th goal in all competitions this season.

That spelt doom for Southampton, who haven’t won a single league game this season after conceding the opening goal.

Lucas Bergvall’s close-range finish was disallowed for offside after the kind of protracted VAR check that has driven Postecoglou to claim the system is “killing the game”.

It was only a temporary reprieve as Wales forward Johnson doubled Tottenham’s advantage with a composed finish from James Maddison’s header in the 42nd minute.

Despite their team’s predicament, Southampton fans packed into one corner of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium hadn’t lost their sense of humour, chanting “Que sera, sera… we’re going to Coventry” as the clock ticked down on their stay in the top tier.

In a moment of quality at odds with their woeful campaign, Fernandes chested down and fired past Tottenham keeper Guglielmo Vicario in the 90th minute.

There was no late comeback as Wellington fouled Johnson and Mathys Tel converted the penalty to confirm Southampton’s demise.

AFP