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Tag: Victor Osimhen

  • PSG Set to Make €120m Bid for Osimhen

    PSG Set to Make €120m Bid for Osimhen

    Paris Saint-Germain is gearing up to make a second bid of €120m for Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, as reported by PUNCH Sports Extra.

    In June, the French champions had their initial offer of €100m for Osimhen turned down. While the new bid falls short of Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis’ valuation, it still surpasses offers from other interested clubs.

    Reports suggest that Napoli values Osimhen at €150 million, a price tag that no other club is currently willing to meet. De Laurentiis, considering PSG the only team capable of affording the talented striker, has dismissed other suitors like Chelsea, Manchester United, and Real Madrid, who have expressed interest in acquiring Osimhen.

    “The only club that could afford Victor Osimhen is Paris Saint-Germain,” De Laurentiis revealed to Mediaset.

    “If (PSG president) Nasser Al Khelaifi wants to send in a bid around €200 million, we wait and see what happens. I personally think that Victor will stay here.”

    Meanwhile, negotiations are underway between Osimhen and Napoli for a contract extension, as per Calciomercato. The club aims to introduce a release clause that would only become valid in the summer of 2024, with a fee exceeding €100m.

    De Laurentiis informed Osimhen’s agent that he would only consider offers close to €200m in this summer’s transfer window. Despite the differences in negotiations, Napoli remains committed to offering their star player a suitable contract.

    While Bayern Munich has shown significant interest in Osimhen, they find Napoli’s economic demands exorbitant and have decided to pause negotiations. Currently, PSG poses the biggest hurdle for Napoli, as they view the Nigerian international as the ideal replacement for Kylian Mbappé, the World Cup winner.

    According to French sources, PSG is on the verge of submitting an offer of around €120m.

    Last season, Osimhen scored 26 goals and provided five assists in 32 league appearances, playing a crucial role in Napoli’s Serie A title victory after over three decades.

    Osimhen also became the first African player to secure the prestigious Capocannoniere award, given to the top scorer in Serie A.

    The Nigerian forward is scheduled to resume pre-season training on July 19 and eagerly awaits updates on his future.

  • Ligue 1 Champions Ready to Pursue Osimhen Aggressively

    Ligue 1 Champions Ready to Pursue Osimhen Aggressively

    PSG Sets Sights on Osimhen as Mbappe’s Possible Replacement

    Rumors are swirling that Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) is gearing up to launch a strong bid for Napoli’s Victor Osimhen in the event that Kylian Mbappe departs this summer.

    According to reports from Corriere dello Sport via Napolista, PSG is keeping a close eye on Osimhen as a potential successor to the talented French forward.

    PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaifi has allegedly presented Mbappe with a two-week ultimatum to either commit to a new contract or seek opportunities elsewhere. The club is unwilling to let him go for free and is determined to avoid such a scenario.

    Mbappe’s contract is set to expire after the upcoming season, and PSG cannot exercise the one-year option clause to extend his stay. Consequently, the club is eager to secure a transfer fee if they part ways with the star player.

    While PSG had previously expressed interest in Osimhen, they were unable to meet Napoli’s valuation of €150 million. However, if Mbappe is sold, PSG’s financial landscape could undergo a transformation.

    Osimhen, currently engaged in contract negotiations with Napoli, could potentially become the highest-paid player in the club’s history if both parties reach an agreement.

    Despite considering the prospect of extending his tenure in Naples, the 24-year-old Nigerian forward might still opt to depart this summer if Napoli fails to meet his demands and a suitor emerges that is willing to meet his valuation.

  • Ighalo and Berbatov advocate for Osimhen’s move to Manchester United

    Ighalo and Berbatov advocate for Osimhen’s move to Manchester United

    Former Manchester United strikers Odion Ighalo and Dimitar Berbatov have both expressed their support for Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen to join the Red Devils. Osimhen, who had an impressive season with Napoli, scoring 26 goals and providing five assists in Serie A, has attracted interest from top clubs including Manchester United, Chelsea, and Paris Saint-Germain.

    Ighalo, who had a loan spell at Manchester United in 2020, believes Osimhen would be a good fit for the club. He described Osimhen as a hungry player who fights for the ball, bullies defenders, and excels in the air. Ighalo also mentioned that Manchester United would bring out the best in Osimhen, and he could achieve a lot with the club.

    Berbatov, another former United striker, emphasized the need for the club to sign a striker capable of scoring 20 to 25 Premier League goals per season. He expressed his preference for Osimhen and stated that if the club fails to secure his signature, they should pursue another striker who possesses the ability to play with his back to goal, make timely passes, and score goals consistently.

    Manchester United is reportedly keen on strengthening their attack during the summer transfer window, and Osimhen has emerged as a potential target due to his impressive performances in Italy.

  • Napoli president sets condition for Osimhen’s departure

    Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis has announced a fresh two-year contract proposal for star striker Victor Osimhen, but he also acknowledged the possibility of the Nigerian leaving if the club receives an irresistible offer. While no specific amount was mentioned, Napoli will entertain offers for Osimhen only if they exceed €100m.Following an impressive season with Napoli, Nigerian international Victor Osimhen has garnered significant attention from several top European clubs vying for his signature. Osimhen, who joined Napoli from Lille in 2020 for a club and African record fee of €75m, still has two years remaining on his current contract with the Italian club.According to Fabrizio Romano, Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis has stated, “We have reached an agreement in principle with Victor Osimhen to extend his contract for two additional years.” However, de Laurentiis also added that if an exceptionally high bid that cannot be turned down materializes, the club will carefully consider the situation and make the best decision for the club’s interests.Osimhen showcased his goal-scoring prowess during the previous season, netting an impressive tally of 26 league goals for Napoli, including the decisive goal that secured the title. Additionally, the former Lille player contributed five goals in six Champions League matches, culminating in a remarkable total of 31 goals across all competitions.

  • Osimhen Equals Siasia’s Goal Record, Surpasses Ighalo and Musa

    Osimhen Equals Siasia’s Goal Record, Surpasses Ighalo and Musa

    Victor Osimhen, the Nigerian striker, made headlines on Sunday as he equaled Samson Siasia’s goal record for the Super Eagles. Osimhen scored two goals against Sierra Leone during the 2023 AFCON qualifier, securing a 3-2 victory for the team and advancing them to the knockout stages of the tournament. Kelechi Iheanacho’s late-minute tap-in sealed the ticket to qualification.

    With his two goals, Osimhen now has a total of 17 goals for the national team, surpassing the previous records held by Odion Ighalo and Ahmed Musa, who both had 16 goals. He joins former Eagles coach Siasia in sixth position on the all-time Nigeria goalscorers list.

    Osimhen’s remarkable performance comes as no surprise, as he has established himself as one of the world’s finest strikers. His contributions were instrumental in Napoli’s Scudetto victory last season. He is now just one goal away from equaling Obafemi Martins’ record of 18 goals.

    Rashidi Yekini holds the top position on the goalscoring chart with an impressive 37 goals from 67 games, 20 more than Osimhen’s current tally. Fans have expressed their belief that Osimhen can surpass Yekini’s record if he continues his prolific scoring form for the national team.

    Last June, Osimhen made headlines by scoring four goals in Nigeria’s 10-0 victory against Sao Tome and Principe in the AFCON qualifying series. His goalscoring heroics followed his winner against Sierra Leone in a 2-1 win on matchday one of the qualifiers.

    Having recently become the highest-scoring African in Serie A history, breaking George Weah’s record with 50 goals, Osimhen now has his sights set on the national record. Since Rashidi Yekini’s retirement in 1998, no Eagles striker has come close to matching his goal tally. Segun Odegbami, a 1980 AFCON winner, is in second place with 23 goals, followed by former Everton striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni with 21 goals.

    Speaking about his ambitions, Osimhen expressed confidence in his ability to break or even surpass Yekini’s record. He acknowledged the greatness of Nigerian strikers like Yekini, Ighalo, and Martins but believes it’s his time to shine and make the most of his opportunity to contribute to the team’s success.

  • Unlikelihood of Victor Osimhen Signing New Napoli Deal

    Unlikelihood of Victor Osimhen Signing New Napoli Deal

    Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen is facing uncertainty regarding his future at Napoli, as it appears unlikely that he will sign a new contract with the club. According to reports from Il Mattino, Osimhen’s agent, Roberto Calenda, has informed Napoli’s owner, Aurelio de Laurentiis, about two offers the player has received from Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain.

    The situation has prompted Napoli to evaluate their options, considering that Osimhen has expressed his unwillingness to sign a new deal. His current contract is set to expire in the summer of 2025, and by not renewing, Osimhen aims to facilitate a potential departure from the club next summer at a reduced transfer fee. This strategy allows him to avoid being held hostage by Napoli, who could demand a substantial sum if he were to extend his current contract.

    Napoli now faces a challenging decision as they contemplate the possibility of turning down a lucrative offer for Osimhen. In the meantime, the club has begun exploring alternative options, with Salernitana’s Boulaye Dia emerging as one of the names being considered. Dia has made a strong impression in Serie A this season, catching the attention of Napoli’s scouts.

  • Despite injury, Osimhen rated fourth best striker in Europe

    Despite injury, Osimhen rated fourth best striker in Europe

    Victor Osimhen has been ranked the fourth most prolific striker in Europe’s top five leagues so far this season.

    Despite being out for five weeks due to a hamstring injury, the Nigerian striker has scored seven goals in eight league games so far averaging a goal every 93 minutes in the Serie A.

    The 23-year-old is behind the trio Erling Haaland, Robert Lewandowski and Kylian Mbappe.

    The Norwegian striker, Haaland, who joined Premier League champions Manchester City in a deal worth £51.5m, is rated as the most prolific striker in Europe so far this term according to Corriere dello Sport.

    Haaland has scored 17 goals in his first 11 EPL games and has averaged a goal every 55 minutes. Spain’s top scorer, Barcelona’s Lewandowski is rated as the second most prolific player in Europe having scored 13 goals in 12 games.

    The Pole scores a goal in every 73 minutes played in the LaLiga.

    In the fourth position is Osimhen’s compatriot, Terem Moffi who has notched up eight goals in 12 Ligue 1 games.

    The Nigeria international averages a goal in every 108 minutes for Lorient who sit fourth in the French topflight log with 27 points from 13 games.

    Highly rated French forward Christopher Nkunku is ranked sixth having notched nine goals in 12 Bundesliga games – averaging a goal in every 113 minutes.

    Fulham’s Aleksandar Mitrovic is seventh in the log.

    The World Cup-bound Serbian striker has averaged a goal in every 114 minutes in the EPL so far this term. He has scored nine times in 12 league games in Premier League .

    Tottenham’s Harry Kane is ranked eighth having scored 10 goals in 13 games averaging a goal every 116 minutes.

    Meanwhile, former U-17 and U-20 coach Manu Garba, believes if the Napoli striker continues in his present form, he has the potential to become Nigeria’s best striker ever.

    The Late Rashidi Yekini, who scored Nigeria’s first goal at the FIFA senior World Cup and is the country’s topscorer with 37 goals, is unarguably Nigeria’s best striker ever.

    “Presently, they are incomparable and each of them is in a class of his own,” Garba noted.

    “Osimhen was the U-17 World Cup top scorer and has age on his side and if he remains disciplined, resilient, focused and injury-free he will be one of the great strikers.

    “What I can see is Osimhen is the best in the present generation of strikers and have the potential to break Yekini’s record but they are incomparable for now.”

  • Super Eagles demolish Sao Tome & Principe 10-0 to Record the Biggest win in History

    Super Eagles demolish Sao Tome & Principe 10-0 to Record the Biggest win in History

    The Super Eagles grabbed three points against the ‘The Falcons and True Parrots’ of São Tomé and Príncipe at the Grand Stade Agadir, also known as Adrar Stadium, on Monday.

    The Nigerian team had also bagged all three points in their 2-1 defeat of Sierra Leone at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja on Thursday.

    On Monday, Victor Osimhen scored four times to give the Super Eagles a resounding victory in their Day 2 encounter of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification series in Morocco.

    Osimhen scored in the ninth, 48th, 65th and 84th minutes alongside Moses Simon who scored in the 28th minute Moffi (43′, 60′), Oghenekaro Etebo (55′),
    Ademola Lookman (63′) and Emmanuel Dennis (90+2′).

    Having pocketed another three points, Eagles are top of Group A.

    Head Coach Jose Peseiro had said at the Aeroport Agadir Almarissa that the encounter against ‘The Falcons and True Parrots’ would bring the best out of his team as they seek to go top of the Group A table.

    “We want to be the team at the top of the table, so we must fight hard against the opponents. Every match, we must commit ourselves fully to winning it. As I said earlier in the week, Nigeria have huge pedigree and they also have both quality and quantity of players. It is important that we select the best all the time to win the big games,” he had said.

    Defender and deputy skipper William Ekong and midfielder Innocent Bonke had returned to their respective bases in England and France to attend to injuries copped during the international break.

    Bonke was injured in the friendly game against Mexico in Dallas on May 28, while Ekong suffered a groin strain in the 2-1 defeat of Sierra Leone in Abuja on Thursday.

    Details later…

  • AFCON : Super Eagles Drop Osimhen, Dennis From Squad

    AFCON : Super Eagles Drop Osimhen, Dennis From Squad

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has dropped Napoli striker Victor Osimhen and Watford hitman Emmanuel Dennis from Nigeria’s final 28-man list for the 33rd Africa Cup of Nations starting in Cameroon next weekend.

    In a statement on Friday morning, the NFF said Osimhen’s positive test to the coronavirus pandemic a couple of days ago was responsible for the removal of his name from the final list.

    Recall Daybrea.ng had reported on Thursday that the striker had tested positive for COVID-19 which could stop him from participating in the championship.

    Osimhen’s absence has now paved the way for Greece-based Henry Onyekuru who was also at the last finals in Egypt.

    The statement also said in-form rapid raider, Dennis, whose English Premiership club is baring fangs, has been excused to provide room for the Czech Republic-based forward Peter Olayinka.

    Dennis is one of Nigeria’s strikers who are in form at present.
    Watford coach, Claudio Ranieri, had claimed on Wednesday that Nigeria had missed the deadline to call the striker up for the tournament.

    The versatile Abdullahi Shehu has also been excused as a result of an injury he is nursing at present.

    The goalkeeping department is untouched, but the forced exclusion of Cyprus –based Shehu, who can slot easily into sections of the defence and midfield, has made way for hard-as-nails right back Tyrone Ebuehi, now with Venezia in the Italian Serie A

    England–based Oluwasemilogo Ajayi also returns to the group for Africa’s flagship football championship following injury to centre-back Leon Balogun. Ajayi can also play as a midfielder.

    The 33rd Africa Cup of Nations finals will end on 6th February.

    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); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Tyrone Ebuehi (Venezia FC, Italy); 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); Henry Onyekuru (Olympiacos FC, Greece); 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); Peter Olayinka (SK Slavia Praha, Czech Republic)

  • Bayern Munich ready to offer over €100m for Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen

    Bayern Munich ready to offer over €100m for Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen

    Nigeria and Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen is on the radar of some of Europe’s biggest clubs with Bayern Munich reportedly ready to spend over €100 million for his services.

    Edo state born Osimhen has caught the attention of Real Madrid with his form this season as he leads the line for Napoli.

    He scored just 10 goals in his debut season with Napoli, due to a spate of injuries and a bout of Covid-19 after Napoli spent a club record €81.3 million to lure the Nigerian from Lille to Naples.

    Now in his second year, the 22-year-old has now scored nine times in just 11 appearances for Napoli, with his latest arriving in last Thursday’s 3-0 demolition of Legia Warsaw in the Europa League.

    Now, Spanish newspaper, AS, say Osimhen has been in the minds of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, with the German club ready to dole out over €100m to land the Nigerian international at the end of the season, possibly as a replacement for the ageing Robert Lewandowski, who is also on the radar of Real Madrid.

    AS also reported that although Osimhen isn’t Real Madrid’s top transfer target, he could end up on the top of the list if the Spanish side fails to land its top-three targets, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Håland and Lewandowski.

    The newspaper reported that 33-year-old Lewandowski, whose contract expires in 2023, could request a transfer from Bayern Munich next summer as he seeks a new challenge away from the Bundesliga, where he has dominated for 12 seasons first in for Borussia Dortmund and now for Bayern.

    With Bayern not likely to see Lewandowski run down his contract, they will sell him and sign Osimhen as a replacement for Lewandowski.

    Bayern are willing to offer Napoli over €100m to land the Nigerian who had previously played in the Bundesliga for Wolfsburg, according to the report.

    Scouts from Bayern and Real Madrid were at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico on Sunday where Osimhen and Napoli were prevented from setting a record for the best start to a Serie A season as Roma held them to a goalless draw, thus preventing the Blues from wining a ninth straight opening league game.

    It was the first time the Naples-based club had failed to score in the league this season after a 100 per cent winning record in their previous eight matches.

    After the game, AS Roma manager Jose Mourinho, credited his players for stopping the in-form Osimhen.

    “The game had a lot of transitions in it – they tried to play really directly through Osimhen and then bring others into play around him,” Mourinho told Roma’s official portal.

    “[On Sunday] I liked the organisation, and the way we controlled, in a certain sense, because controlling him is far from easy – Osimhen’s attempts to get into space.”