Galatasaray are reportedly plotting a permanent move for Victor Osimhen after the striker impressed early since joining the Turkish champions on a season-long loan from Napoli.

Osimhen settled in quickly at the RAMS Park, scoring four goals and contributing another four assists in nine games, including the winning goal against Besiktas.

According to Turkish outlet Sozcu, Gala are prepared to break their transfer record and offer a €50 million bid to Napoli to sign the Nigerian permanently.

Team Talk debunked the news reporting that the club’s sources claimed it is “fake news” with zero chance of happening despite him being a fan favourite already.

Let’s look at three reasons Osimhen can’t join Galatasaray.

1. Premier League dream

Premier League side Chelsea attempted to sign the Super Eagles star until the final moments of the summer transfer window when the deal was off after failure to reach an agreement on personal terms. The Blues reportedly retain their interest, with Arsenal also monitoring the situation.

Osimhen is said to dream of playing on the top flight of English football. He will turn 26 in December, and his best time to fulfil the dream is to get a move in January or, at the latest, next summer.

2. Galatasaray and Napoli are apart in fee

Osimhen had a release clause of £113 million inserted into the new Napoli contract he signed in the summer of 2023, a figure which eventually proved to be a stumbling block to his desired move last summer, with interest clubs unwilling to pay.

He extended his contract by a year before joining Galatasaray on loan, and a new release clause of €75 million was inserted, but the Turkish champions will reportedly offer a third of that, which is sure to be dismissed by the Neapolitans.

3. Salary demands

Osimhen’s current salary at Napoli is reportedly €12.82mil per year or €246,538 per week, while the Turkish club announced to the public that they would pay the former Lille striker €115,000 per week, way below his current grade. It is unclear if the Lions will raise their offer.

The Nigerian has a more lucrative salary offer of over €500,000 per week in Saudi Arabia, with Al-Ahli possibly returning for him in the summer.

Source: www.legit.ng

Ahmed Musa scored the winning goal as Kano Pillars rallied to beat Plateau United 2-1 on Sunday.

Plateau United took the lead through Gafar Saka on 66 minutes.

Rabiu Ali equalised for Pillars 13 minutes from time, while Musa fired home the winning goal in stoppage time

In Lagos, Rivers United lost for the first time in the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, this season, going down to a 2-0 defeat against Ikorodu City.

Ayomide Cole gave Ikorodu City the lead three minutes after the break.

Rivio Ayemnwere doubled the advantage eight minutes later.

Elsewhere, holders Rangers claimed a 2-0 win over Nasarawa United at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.

Last season’s top scorer, Godwin Obaje, scored both goals for the Flying Antelopes.

FULL RESULTS

Rangers 2-0 Nasarawa Utd

Kano Pillars 1-0 Plateau Utd

Sunshine Stars 1-2 Insurance

Abia Warriors 0-1 Heartland

Bayelsa Utd 1-1 Enyimba

Ikorodu City 2-0 Rivers Utd

Tornadoes 1-0 3SC

Akwa Utd 2-1 Kwara Utd

Remo Stars 1-0 Lobi

FT El-Kanemi 1-0 Katsina Utd

Moises Caicedo’s strike denied Manchester United victory in their first Premier League game since sacking Erik ten Hag as Chelsea claimed a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.

Interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy, who will be replaced by Ruben Amorim later his month, sprinted down the touchline in celebration after Bruno Fernandes put United in front from the penalty spot 20 minutes from time.

Caicedo quickly replied for the Blues, who edge above Arsenal on goal different into fourth.

A point leaves United still down in 13th, six points off the top four.

Amorim was not in attendance as he prepares to take charge of Sporting Lisbon for the one of the final times against Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday.

United were far more competitive than in 3-0 demolitions by Liverpool and Tottenham at home this season, but showed many of the same flaws that cost Ten Hag his job.

Van Nistelrooy enjoyed a 5-2 demolition of an under-strength Leicester in his first match in charge to reach the League Cup quarter-finals in midweek.

Still a hero among the United fans from his days as a prolific striker, the Dutchman’s name was chanted in a buoyant pre-match atmosphere.

However, a Chelsea side that have lost once in nine Premier League games, provided a much stiffer test for a United side still short on confidence.

Noni Madueke came closest to opening the scoring for Chelsea in the first-half when he headed Cole Palmer’s corner off the post.

It took United time to find their feet as an attacking force but they were unfortunate not to go in front just before half-time.

Marcus Rashford hit the crossbar with a cushioned volley in the last action of a disappointing first 45 minutes from both sides.

Pedro Neto’s burst of pace nearly gave Chelsea a dream start to the second period but the Portuguese winger’s shot flew just past the far post.

The Blues remain overly reliant on Palmer for inspiration.

The boyhood United fan, who began his career at Manchester City before joining Chelsea last year, was kept quiet by Van Nistelrooy’s pairing of Casemiro alongside Manuel Ugarte in midfield.

Before kick-off only Southampton had scored fewer than United’s eight Premier League goals in nine games this season.

The lack of efficiency in front of goal that Ten Hag often bemoaned was in evidence again.

Garnacho wasted a glorious chance to open the scoring from Fernandes’ cut-back with a tame effort that looped into the arms of Sanchez.

United were gifted the chance to break the deadlock when Robert Sanchez clipped Rasmus Hojlund inside the box.

Fernandes kept his cool to send the Spanish international goalkeeper the wrong way and spark wild celebrations from Van Nistelrooy.

United’s joy was short-lived as Chelsea hit back within four minutes.

A corner was only cleared to the edge of the box, where Caicedo connected a sweet strike to fire into the bottom corner.

Chelsea should have struck again moments later when substitute Enzo Fernandez spooned over with Andre Onana stranded.

It was United who came closest in a frantic finale when Garnacho’s acrobatic effort flew just over.

AFP