Chelle Picks Ekong, Osimhen, 21 Others For 2026 W/Cup Qualifiers

Captain William Ekong, midfielders Alex Iwobi and Raphael Onyedika, and forwards Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen have been included in Nigeria’s final list of 23 players for next month’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and South Africa. Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali also makes the final cut, just as defenders Calvin Bassey, Olaoluwa Aina and Bright Osayi-Samuel, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Frank Onyeka, and forwards Simon Moses, Samuel Chukwueze and Cyriel Dessers. Greece-based goalie Adeleye Adebayo returns to the group, alongside Unity Cup sensations Felix Agu and Benjamin Fredericks, and forwards Christantus Uche and Tolu Arokodare, who both impressed in the friendly with Russia in Moscow on 6th June this year. The Super Eagles confront the Amavubi of Rwanda in a Matchday 7 encounter at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo on Saturday, 6th September before flying to Bloemfontein to take on South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in a Matchday 8 fixture on Tuesday, 9th September. FINAL LIST OF 23 SUPER EAGLES FOR RWANDA & SOUTH AFRICA Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece) Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); Felix Agu (Werder Bremen, Germany); Benjamin Fredericks (Dender FC, Belgium) Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Christantus Uche (Getafe CF, Spain) Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Cyriel Dessers (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium)

Read More

Osimhen Completes Galatasaray Move

Napoli striker Victor Osimhen on Thursday completed his permanent move to Turkish champions Galatasaray in a 75 million euro ($87.5 million) four-year deal. A key figure in Napoli’s 2023 title triumph, Osimhen spent last season on loan at Galatasaray, scoring 26 goals in 30 league games as the Istanbul club claimed their 25th Super Lig crown. He was absent as Napoli, the freshly crowned Serie A champions, resumed training at the start of the week as the finer details of the deal were concluded. Napoli coach Antonio Conte seemingly did not have the 26-year-old in his plans for his side’s Scudetto defence next term. Negotiations with Galatasaray had been ongoing for several weeks but up to Thursday had stalled over the terms of payment for the transfer. Napoli recently recruited Kevin De Bruyne from Premier League club Manchester City. Osimhen becomes Galatasaray’s most expensive ever player.

Read More

Juventus Tables New Contact for Osimhen

Serie A giants Napoli will definitely see Victor Osimhen depart this summer and there is increasing possibility of him joining Juventus. The Bianconeri were linked with the striker some months ago and now, they are back in the fray, with the forward struggling to attract suitable offers for himself. Gianluca di Marzio has reported that the Old Lady have two options for the striker’s department and while one is Jonathan David, the key target is Osimhen. They are serious about signing the Nigeria international and Igor Tudor is keen to have him in Turin. Contact between the two parties intensified over the weekend. Juve’s goal is to acquire the player’s approval for the transfer so that they can then agree a wage with the player. After that, they will negotiate with Napoli, who have inserted a release clause in Osimhen’s current contract but it is only applicable to clubs abroad.

Read More

Osimhen Rejects Al Hilal Move

Serie A giants Napoli were close to selling Victor Osimhen to Al Hilal but the move will now not go through. Earlier today, it became clear that the Saudi Arabian club will trigger the player’s release clause and they were only waiting for the Nigerian’s go-ahead for a transfer. It seems as if the move will not go through after all. Gianluca di Marzio has reported that the striker has made it clear that he will not join Al Hilal. This has happened after the Napoli player made some final assessments about the potential transfer. Initially, the Saudi club had offered a fee that was slightly lower that the player’s release clause. But that wasn’t enough for Napoli, who wanted a higher fee and the release clause was triggered. Alfredo Pedulla has revealed that Al Hilal had offered Osimhen a wage of over €30 million per season but the player’s ‘no’ is quite decisive.

Read More

Saudi Club Al-Hilal Lures Victor Osimhen

Al-Hilal have made a contract offer to in-demand striker Victor Osimhen. The forward, lit up the Super Lig at Galatasaray last season, scoring 25 goals and providing five assists in 29 games for the Turkish giants. Osimhen, who has previously been discussed by Manchester United and Chelsea, is currently on loan from Napoli and is set to return to the Italian club this summer, where his contract expires in 2026. The 26-year-old scored 31 goals in all competitions as he fired Napoli to a first Serie A title in 33 years in the 2022-23 season, and has since been rated as one of Europe’s elite frontmen. However, he was forced to desperately search for a new club in last summer’s transfer window after Napoli boss Antonio Conte signed Romelu Lukaku and left Osimhen out of his squad. Despite reports of a potential move to Chelsea and a host of Saudi sides, no move permanent move materialised. Last summer, Chelsea legends John Obi Mikel and Didier Drogba reached out to the forward to try and talk him into a Stamford Bridge switch. ‘I hope that Chelsea fans will finally see him come to the club. I’ll make sure I send him those text messages and calls, making sure Chelsea is his top priority,’ said Mikel. ‘But it seems like he loves the club and wants to come to Chelsea. I’m sure he has all the big clubs wanting to sign him. I think if we can secure his signature it would be fantastic for the club. ‘Didier is also speaking to him, sharing his own ideas and what the club means to us. We all want to see Victor come to the club. If it happens, it happens. It’s a huge transfer fee, but if we can match it and get him to the club that would be absolutely fantastic.’

Read More

Al-Hilal in Talks with Victor Osimhen

Reports on Thursday indicate that Napoli’s highly sought-after striker, Victor Osimhen, is currently engaged in discussions regarding a potential move to Saudi Pro League powerhouse Al-Hilal once the 2024-25 season concludes. This development follows earlier claims that the Nigerian international has rejected a proposal to join Juventus in the upcoming summer transfer window. Osimhen, who is currently enjoying a successful loan spell with Galatasaray, remains under contract with Napoli until the summer of 2026. However, it is widely expected that the Serie A club will look to sell him once his temporary stint in Turkey comes to an end. His contract with Napoli notably includes a €75 million release clause, which can be activated this summer. Crucially, this clause is not applicable to fellow Serie A clubs, meaning Juventus would likely have faced a significant premium to persuade Napoli to sell the star forward to a direct league rival. Despite Juventus’ reported keenness on a deal, earlier reports this week suggested Osimhen has turned down their offer, ruling out a move to Turin for the summer. Now, according to Footmercato, Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal have entered the frame and are actively in discussions to sign Osimhen this summer. Thursday’s report asserts that Al-Hilal are in search of a high-profile attacker, particularly following Neymar’s departure in January. Footmercato further details that Osimhen is considered the “ideal” recruit for Al-Hilal, and direct talks between the club and the player are currently underway. Al-Hilal’s squad already features several notable names familiar to Serie A fans, including Osimhen’s former Napoli teammate Kalidou Koulibaly, as well as Joao Cancelo and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. The Saudi club also boasts ex-Premier League and La Liga stars such as Yassine Bounou, Ruben Neves, and Aleksandar Mitrovic, indicating their ambition to attract top-tier talent. As the transfer window approaches, all eyes will be on Osimhen’s decision, which could see him join the growing list of prominent footballers making the move to the Saudi Pro League.

Read More

Manchester United Enters Talks With Victor Osimhen

Manchester United have entered into talks with the entourage of Galatasaray centre-forward Victor Osimhen (26), Foot Mercato can reveal. The Nigerian international spends the season on loan with the Istanbul-based Süper Lig giants from SSC Napoli. Osimhen has easily settled in with Galatasaray, netting 33 goals and 8 assists in 37 games in all competitions. The former Lille OSC striker will leave Galatasaray as his loan does not include an option to make his move permanent. He has also set his sights on leaving Napoli. Foot Mercato understands that Osimhen is keen on joining the Premier League, and Manchester United may be one of the only clubs to meet his €12m per year wage demands. PSG are seemingly out of the running to sign Osimhen. The Red Devils are looking to change their attacking options as both Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee have, so far, failed to meet expectations following their big-money arrivals last summer. The outlet adds that Manchester United drew up a 4-man shortlist to identify their next striker. Among these names are Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap and Sporting Portugal’s Victor Gyokeres. The Swede appears to be Manchester United’s priority, mainly in the event of Champions League qualification, which would be obtained by winning the Europa League. But it seems Manchester United are keeping their options open. Indeed, the Red Devils have reportedly met Osimhen’s entourage this Monday. Foot Mercato understands that Napoli will ask north of €75m to allow Osimhen to leave Antonio Conte’s squad.

Read More

Osimhen Gifts Remo Stars N10m After Historic NPFL Title Win

Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen has celebrated Remo Stars’ historic League title triumph by gifting the team N10 million. The Galatasaray forward praised the club’s determination and resilience, describing their achievement as inspiring. Osimhen’s gesture highlights his strong connection to Nigerian football and his admiration for one of the country’s rising football institutions. Remo Stars etched their name in history on Sunday after sealing their first-ever premier division title with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Niger Tornadoes. In doing so, they became the first club from southwestern Nigeria to win the league in 25 years the last being Julius Berger in 2000. Osimhen, who has a personal relationship with Remo Stars head coach Daniel Ogunmodede currently part of the Super Eagles’ technical setup personally called the team on Tuesday to congratulate them. He also announced a N10 million gift, split evenly between the players (N5 million) and the coaching staff (N5 million).

Read More