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.
Sports
NPFL: Enyimba fined N1m for misconduct
The Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, has fined Enyimba one million naira for misconduct capable of bringing the game into disrepute.
Enyimba were also charged with breaching the NPFL Framework and Rules in the course of their matchday nine fixture against Ikorodu City at the Enyimba Stadium on Sunday.
The People’s Elephant have also been reprimanded for publishing disparaging comments against match officials on their X handle.
NPFL stated that Enyimba published comments that were capable of bringing the game into disrepute.
The club was warned to desist from similar acts in future and advised to use appropriate channels to make their complaints, as a recurrence will lead to stiffer sanctions.
Enyimba have been availed the right to appeal the sanctions within 48 hours of the date of the notice.
Sports
Osimhen rules out January move to Chelsea
Victor Osimhen has confirmed he will not be joining Chelsea during the January transfer window, stating his commitment to remain with Turkish giants Galatasaray until the end of his loan spell, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The 25-year-old striker, who was heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge during the summer transfer window, made his intentions clear after netting his fourth goal for Galatasaray in their 2-1 victory against Besiktas in Monday’s Turkish Super Lig Istanbul Derby.
“Yes, I am here,” Osimhen responded when asked about his plans for the second half of the season, as revealed by Turkish journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu.
The Nigeria striker has been in scintillating form since joining the Turkish Super Lig leaders on loan from Napoli in September, scoring in three consecutive league games, including a spectacular overhead kick against Antalyaspor last weekend, upon his return from injury.
His latest goal came in the 67th minute against Besiktas, when he expertly headed home Gabriel Sara’s cross to double Galatasaray’s lead before the visitors pulled one back in stoppage time.
Despite Chelsea’s continued interest in securing his services and Nicolas Jackson’s improved form, the Blues are still in the market for a striker that is capable of guaranteeing at least 20 goals per season, with Osimhen viewed as the ideal candidate to fill that void.
The former Lille forward’s performances in Turkey have caught the attention of Chelsea legends John Mikel Obi and Didier Drogba, who have both endorsed him as an ideal signing for their former club.
Okan Buruk’s Galatasaray have benefitted significantly from Osimhen’s presence, with the striker contributing four goals and four assists in just six appearances. The team currently sit atop the Turkish Super Lig standings with 28 points from 10 matches, maintaining an impressive run of eight wins and two draws in their last 10 games across all competitions.
The victory over Besiktas has helped Galatasaray open a six-point gap ahead of second-placed Samsunspor, while the defeated remain fourth with 20 points.
With Osimhen confirming his commitment to Galatasaray until the summer, Chelsea may have to wait until 2025 to secure the services of the former Lille player, who continues to enhance his reputation in Turkish football.
Sports
Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka ‘Disappointed’ After Liverpool Draw
Bukayo Saka became the youngest Arsenal player to score 50 Premier League goals when he returned from a hamstring injury in Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool, but the winger was disappointed to drop two points after being on the verge of a crucial win.
Saka, who was injured during England’s loss to Greece earlier this month, scored early to become the league’s seventh youngest player to reach 50 goals at 23 years and 52 days, eight days older than when England’s top scorer Harry Kane netted his 50th Premier League goal.
Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler remains the youngest to reach the milestone at 20 years and 252 days, ahead of fellow strikers Michael Owen, Wayne Rooney and Romelu Lukaku, with Cristiano Ronaldo the fifth youngest.
“I hate to miss games, so I was buzzing to be back. I had this game in mind to come back for and I was feeling good out there, and I was happy to get an early goal,” Saka told Arsenal’s official website.
“We are disappointed. I feel like we didn’t show our best selves for 90 minutes and it cost us in the end. We believe we should have won it.”
Mikel Arteta also praised Saka’s consistency as one of the positives in the match that saw key players Gabriel Magalhaes and Jurien Timber leave the field with injuries.
“After a few weeks off, the way he played and competed was exceptional. I think we had some big, big individual performances in the team,” Arteta said.
Third-placed Arsenal, who lost all Bournemouth last weekend, now trail leaders Manchester City by five points. Arsenal continue their league campaign at Newcastle United on Saturday.
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