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Tag: Osimhen

  • Chelsea’s Osimhen Deal Boosted as Al Ahli Targets Toney

    Chelsea’s Osimhen Deal Boosted as Al Ahli Targets Toney

    Chelsea’s chances of signing Victor Osimhen have brightened significantly as Saudi Arabian club Al Ahli has shifted its focus to Brentford’s Ivan Toney. Previously, both Chelsea and Al Ahli were pursuing top strikers Osimhen and Toney, but recent reports indicate that Al Ahli is now prioritizing Toney.

    Al Ahli is preparing to conduct a medical examination for Toney, who is set to join the club on a contract until 2027, valued at €54 million. This development suggests that Al Ahli’s pursuit of Osimhen may be coming to an end.

    With Al Ahli turning its attention to Toney, Chelsea’s prospects of landing Osimhen have improved. Negotiations with Al Ahli had previously included an offer of €30-40 million annually for Osimhen, but the shift in focus could give Chelsea the edge in securing the Nigerian forward.

    Sources indicate that Osimhen has tentatively agreed to a weekly wage of €350,000 with Chelsea, down from his initial demand of €500,000. Although the situation remains fluid as the transfer window approaches its close, Chelsea is hopeful that this new development will facilitate the completion of Osimhen’s transfer.

  • Chelsea Rules Out January Move for Napoli’s Osimhen

    Chelsea Rules Out January Move for Napoli’s Osimhen

    By Milcah Tanimu

    Reports suggest that Chelsea is no longer considering a January move for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen. The need for additional attacking options, particularly behind Nicolas Jackson, has been a priority for the club, given injuries to Armando Broja and Christopher Nkunku in the past year.

    Despite Jackson’s recent hat-trick and strong performances, Chelsea had been linked with Osimhen. However, Football London now reports that a January deal for the Nigerian striker is unlikely due to the substantial fee involved.

    The report indicates that Chelsea paid a significant amount to sign Enzo Fernandez last January but is hesitant to make a similar investment this time. Ivan Toney of Brentford is reportedly another option, with a lower fee expected.

    While Chelsea remains undecided about entering the market for a new striker in January or waiting until next summer, the club recognizes the need for depth, especially considering Nkunku’s and Broja’s injury histories.

    Nkunku, who scored 58 goals in his final two seasons with RB Leipzig, faced fitness issues recently, and Broja has proven to be a valuable option for Mauricio Pochettino after recovering from a serious knee injury.

    If Chelsea decides to bring in Osimhen or Toney, it could impact Broja’s future at the club, with the Albanian potentially becoming the third choice behind Jackson and the soon-to-return Nkunku.

    Despite concerns earlier in the season about Chelsea’s attacking capabilities, recent performances have seen them find the back of the net more consistently, easing some of the pressure on the need for immediate reinforcements.

  • Osimhen Seals Napoli’s First Serie A Title In 33 Years

    Osimhen Seals Napoli’s First Serie A Title In 33 Years

    Victor Osimhen’s second-half equaliser against Udinese sealed Napoli’s first Scudetto title in 33 years.

    Napoli’s Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen (Rear C-L) celebrates with Napoli’s Georgian forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Rear C) after scoring an equalizer during the Italian Serie A football match between Udinese and Napoli on May 4, 2023 at the Friuli stadium in Udine. (Photo by Tiziana FABI / AFP)

    The Nigerian, leading the race for the Italian Serie A golden boot, netted in the 52nd minute to cancel Sandi Lovric’s first-half strike, a goal that sent fans into raptures in Naples.

    Fans of SSC Napoli gather at the Largo Maradona in the Quartieri Spagnoli district on May 4, 2023 in Naples, watching a projection of a potentially decisive match between SSC Napoli and Udinese played in Udine, anticipating the celebration of the club’s Italian champions “Scudetto” title.(Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP)

    Needing just a draw to scoop their first domestic crown since 1990, Napoli’s dreams of landing it seem to be fading away when Lovric scored early on.

    Fans of SSC Napoli gathering at the Largo Maradona in the Quartieri Spagnoli district on May 4, 2023 in Naples to watch a live broadcast of a potentially decisive match between Udinese and Napoli played in Udine, react after Napoli scored an equalizer, anticipating the celebration of the club’s Italian champions “Scudetto” title, as Napoli is to play a potentially decisive match in Udine. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP).

    But Victor Osimhen’s leveller was enough to bring the Scudetto back to southern Italy’s biggest city for the third time.

    Luciano Spalletti and his team will receive an emotional welcome when they return to Naples, where the partying is set to continue to until at least their next home fixture against Fiorentina on Sunday evening.

    It was appropriate that Osimhen was the man to take Napoli over the line as the Nigeria striker has had the best season of his career and been key to Napoli’s historic charge to glory.

    Osimhen’s title-deciding strike was his 22nd goal in 28 league appearances and rightly caused bedlam among the massed ranks of away fans who took over the Dacia Arena in Udine.

    Napoli’s 16-point lead over second-placed Lazio leaves them with a month-long parade between now and the end of the season which will allow their long-suffering supporters to fully unload more than a generation of frustration.

  • Nigeria name Musa, Ndidi, Osimhen, 25 others in 28-man final list for AFCON 2021

    Nigeria name Musa, Ndidi, Osimhen, 25 others in 28-man final list for AFCON 2021

    By Mike Oboh

    Head Coach Augustine Eguavoen has named his 28-final list of the Super Eagles of Nigeria for the 33rd Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Cameroon 9th January – 6th February 2022, with Captain Ahmed Musa, midfield enforcer Wilfred Ndidi and effervescent forward Victor Osimhen all making the cut for the big houseparty.

    The three –time winners will confront seven-time and record winners Egypt, Sudan and debutants Guinea Bissau with venue in the northern town of Garoua, and a mouth-watering clash with the Pharaohs in the group opener on Tuesday, 11thJanuary means the Eagles must hit the ground at blistering pace.

    Former Nigeria captain Eguavoen, who coached the Super Eagles to third-place finish at the finals in Egypt 15 years ago, has selected four goalkeepers, nine defenders, five midfielders and 10 forwards to aim for Nigeria’s fourth diadem in Cameroon.

    Goalkeepers Maduka Okoye and Francis Uzoho, defenders Kenneth Omeruo, Olaoluwa Aina and Abdullahi Shehu, midfielders Joseph Ayodele-Aribo and Chidera Ejuke and forwards Moses Simon, Odion Ighalo and Samuel Chukwueze are also on the roster.

    There is a return to the group for former U17 World Cup –winning captain Kelechi Nwakali, forward Emmanuel Dennis and 2016 Olympics star Sadiq Umar.

    All invited players, bar the UK-based crew, are expected to arrive in camp in the Nigeria’s federal capital, Abuja on 29th December, with the UK-based players expected to start arriving on Monday, 3rd January.

    SUPER EAGLES’ SQUAD FOR 33RD AFCON CAMEROON 2021

    Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia, Cyprus); John Noble (Enyimba FC); Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, The Netherlands)

    Defenders: Chidozie Awaziem (Alanyaspor FC, Turkey); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Leon Balogun (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Abdullahi Shehu (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Olisa Ndah (Orlando Pirates, South Africa)

    Midfielders: Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Galsgow Rangers, Scotland); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Chidera Ejuke (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Kelechi Nwakali (SD Huesca, Spain)

    Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Fatih Karagumruk, Turkey); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Sadiq Umar (UD Almeria, Spain); Taiwo Awoniyi (Union Berlin, Germany); Odion Jude Ighalo (Al-Shabab Riyadh, Saudi Arabia); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Emmanuel Dennis (Watford FC, England)

  • Osimhen needs to be more selfish to score goals – Former Napoli star Carnevale

    Osimhen needs to be more selfish to score goals – Former Napoli star Carnevale

    Former Napoli striker Andrea Carnevale expects Victor Osimhen to be selfish in front of goal in order for him to be the club’s leading marksman.

    Osimhen linked up with Napoli in a big money move from French Ligue 1 club Lille this summer.

    The 21-year-old has scored once and recorded one assist in six appearances across all competitions for Napoli this season.

    READ ALSO: Thomas Partey talks Deadline Day move to Arsenal and striking the midfield balance

    Carnevale however insists Osimhen can be more prolific for Gennaro Gatuso’s side but wants the forward to be more greedy in front of goal.

    “For me, the Napoli squad is very strong. Together with that of Inter it can challenge Juve,”Carnevale said in an interview with Radio Cre.

    “I know Osimhen. For me, he is very strong. I advised him to be less generous towards his teammates and to start dedicating himself to scoring, because he has many in his legs.”

    Osimhen will look to end his goal drought when Napoli host Sassuolo at the Stadio San Paolo on Sunday (today).

  • NFF President and Sports Minister commiserate with Osimhen over father’s Death

    NFF President and Sports Minister commiserate with Osimhen over father’s Death

    The Super Eagles striker announced the passing of his parent at the weekend and has been sent messages of condolences

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Minister of Youth and Sports Development Sunday Dare have sympathized with Victor Osimhen on the death of his father.

    Victor’s dad, Patrick Osimhen, died at the age of 80 on Sunday in Lagos after a brief illness according to reports.

    President of NFF Amaju Pinnick has commiserated with the striker and revealed his club Lille have given him a private aircraft in order to come to Nigeria for his father’s burial.