Man Utd, PSG make offers for Osimhen

Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain have both indicated a willingness to trigger the release clause in Victor Osimhen’s contract with Napoli and are now in talks with the Nigeria international, a report has claimed. Osimhen was heavily linked with Chelsea last summer but, after seeing talks collapse late on, ultimately joined Turkish side Galatasaray on loan for the season. There is no option for a permanent transfer in the agreement. While Galatasaray are keen to retain Osimhen, they are facing an uphill battle and Yagiz Sabuncuoglu has revealed both United and PSG have firmly ramped up their interest in the 26-year-old. “Victor Osimhen is about to sign a deal with a world-famous management company,” he told Sports Digitale. “In fact, a Real Madrid player is mediating these talks. What does this mean? The possibility of signing with Galatasaray in June has decreased a lot. “PSG and Manchester United made verbal offers to the player regarding salary and contract period. Because both clubs agreed to give Napoli the release clause. It is very difficult for Galatasaray to compete with these two clubs. He is most likely leaving at the end of the season.” The exact value of Osimhen’s release clause is not known but reports suggest it has dropped to around the £65m mark – an incredibly affordable fee for Europe’s elite sides, although United head coach Ruben Amorim has already voiced concerns about the Red Devils’ transfer budget in summer. Osimhen has retained his lethal streak in front of goal since moving to Turkey. He has racked up 17 goals and five assists in 23 appearances across all competitions, matching his goal tally from last season during his time with Napoli.

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Rio Ferdinand urges Man United to pursue Osimhen deal

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has urged the club to consider a loan move for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen. Frustrated by United’s 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace, which saw them field Kobbie Mainoo as a makeshift striker, Ferdinand believes the club needs a proven goalscorer. “I 100 per cent agree with you. I completely agree. A natural number nine. Victor Osimhen, I would have gone with Osimhen on loan. Get him on loan now!” Ferdinand said on his YouTube show. Ferdinand believes Osimhen, who has scored 17 goals in 21 appearances for Galatasaray this season, would provide a much-needed goalscoring threat. “He guarantees you someone who can get on the end of things, scores goals, experienced, done it at the top level,” he added. Ferdinand expressed disappointment with the impact of Rasmus Hojlund, stating, “I’ve watched Hojlund closely the last two games… it just doesn’t add up. I’d be going to get Osimhen now if we can do it from a financial standpoint. Get him on loan now!” Osimhen is currently on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli, meaning any potential move would require negotiations with both clubs. Galatasaray do not want to let Osimhen leave and want to sign him on a permanent deal. The final call would come down to Napoli who hold all the cards in transfer negotiations fr the Nigeria international. Despite the challenges, Ferdinand believes a loan move for Osimhen could be a game-changer for United, who are currently struggling to maintain their position in the Premier League.

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Napoli rejects €65m Galatasaray bid for Osimhen

Napoli have rejected a €65 million offer from Galatasaray for striker Victor Osimhen, according to Il Corriere dello Sport. Despite Osimhen’s current loan spell at Galatasaray, the Turkish club does not have a permanent option to buy. While Galatasaray are keen to make the transfer permanent, Napoli are holding firm on their valuation of the Nigerian striker. Osimhen’s contract with Napoli reportedly includes a €75 million release clause, which is valid from January. However, Corriere dello Sport suggested Galatasaray have a unique advantage. The clause for January is reportedly set at €81m (€75m + €6m compensation due to Galatasaray if Osimhen moves elsewhere mid-season). This means that Galatasaray are currently the only club able to acquire Osimhen for €75m this month. Any other club would have to pay that amount starting from next summer. Osimhen’s release clause was initially set at €130 million but was lowered to €75m last summer when he signed a new contract with Napoli before his loan move to Galatasaray. Despite Galatasaray’s eagerness to secure his permanent signing, Napoli’s rejection of their €65m bid indicates they are determined to receive the full amount of the release clause.

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Osimhen accused of punching journalist outside nightclub

Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen finds himself at the center of a controversy that has nothing to do with his goal-scoring prowess. Turkish media, particularly Posta, reported that the forward allegedly assaulted a journalist outside an Istanbul nightclub on Friday night. The incident reportedly occurred as Osimhen was leaving the venue with friends. Apparently irritated by the reporter’s presence, the striker’s reaction may have put him in a precarious situation. Tolga Bozduman, the journalist in question, described the scene: “I was filming Osimhen as he exited, accompanied by three colleagues. When the camera flashes stopped, he became furious. He rushed towards me, shouting, and attempted to grab my camera. When I refused to let go, he punched me. It still hurts. Then he started swearing and said, ‘Destroy the photos, I’ll give you money.’ I refused, and he threatened me, saying, ‘I’ll destroy you.’” As of now, there have been no official statements regarding the incident, neither from Galatasaray nor from the player himself. This isn’t the first time Osimhen has been involved in such a situation. Last August, when he was still with Napoli under Antonio Conte’s management, a similar episode occurred involving a fan filming him outside a venue. This alleged altercation comes at a time when Osimhen has been making headlines for his performances on the pitch. The striker has been a key figure in Galatasaray’s attacking lineup this season, contributing over 20 goals across all competitions. However, this off-field incident could potentially overshadow his sporting achievements and raise questions about his behavior and professionalism.

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Liverpool joins race for Osimhen

Premier League league leaders Liverpool are reportedly the latest club linked with a move for Victor Osimhen. Prior to his move to Galatasaray on loan last summer, a number of clubs including Chelsea tried to complete a swoop but ultimately fell short. Before he joined the Super Lig side, Napoli had reduced his release clause to approximately £63million and a rare break clause had been created. From the Premier League clubs, it is likely Arsenal and Chelsea will have been included considering their positions in the top flight and the Blues’ previous interest. With the Reds still asessing their striker options, they could be guaranteed too. Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are also possibilities along with Manchester City. However, Pep Guardiola’s side already have Erling Haaland and Osimhen would only be keen to join a club where he would be the main man. Outside of England, La Liga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid are almost certain to be included in the list. Paris Saint-Germain could also be there considering they would be able to afford Osimhen’s wages following Kylian Mbappe’s summer exit.

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Osimhen distributes food items, 2,000 tricycles in Lagos

Galatasaray of Turkey forward and 2023 African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen has distributed 2,000 tricycles and food items to residents of Olusosun in Lagos. Osimhen, who is currently enjoying his holiday in Nigeria, returned to his craddle to identify with his childhood friends and other associates. According to him, “Returning to where my football dream and journey began in Olusosun gives me so much goosebumps. “I am humbled and grateful for the roots that shaped my dreams. This is me once again appreciating their love and support and I will always cherish Olusosun and it’s people. “Thank You!” He instructed that food items be given to mothers while tricycles were allocated to the youth, offering them a means of livelihood. This heartwarming gesture points to Osimhen’s commitment to uplifting his community, even as his star continues to shine on the global stage.

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Man Utd opens Osimhen talks

Manchester United are in contact with the representatives of Napoli striker Victor Osimhen as they eye potential replacements for Marcus Rashford, a report has claimed. Rashford is under fire after publicly admitting his desire for a “new challenge” in the aftermath of new head coach Ruben Amorim’s decision to drop him from the United squad for the Manchester derby. He has since been omitted from a further two matchday squads. Central to the issue surrounding Rashford is the fact he earns well over £300,000 per week – reports suggest anywhere between £315,000 and 365,000 – with United needing to offload that salary before splashing out on a replacement. According to Sky Sports Switzerland, United officials are lining up Osimhen as a potential replacement and are already in contact with the striker’s entourage. Osimhen joined Galatasaray on loan from Napoli during the summer after a late switch to Chelsea fell through, but the Serie A side are believed to have the option to recall him in January if they receive a permanent offer. Napoli will demand a fee of around €75m (£62.2m) to sell Osimhen, who has 18 months remaining on his contract and has already been informed that his time at the club is over. Such a fee is expected to be too high for United without significant sales, which is where Rashford enters the fray. United value the 27-year-old at around £40m and could use that fee towards any deal for Osimhen.

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Osimhen decides future amid Chelsea, Man U links

Victor Osimhen is determined to see the season through with Galatasaray – but hopes to put himself in the shop window for Premier League clubs with his performances across the campaign. The 25-year-old Nigeria striker has hit the ground running in Turkey after completing a season-long loan move from Napoli to Galatasaray in September, scoring nine goals in his opening 11 games in all competitions. There had been intense speculation surrounding Osimhen’s future throughout much of the summer transfer window, with Chelsea, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain all credited with an interest in the forward. Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ahli were also heavily linked but would go on to sign Ivan Toney instead after Napoli increased their asking price to strike an agreement for Osimhen. Just a month on from Osimhen’s arrival in Istanbul, Napoli confirmed that the attacker could leave the Serie A club on a permanent basis in January due to a break clause in his Galatasaray loan deal. But transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio claimed Osimhen has no interest in departing Galatasaray midway through the season and does not even want to speak with other teams at this stage. ‘First of all, Osimhen wants to finish the season at Galatasaray. He is very happy to be there and doesn’t want to talk about other clubs,’ Di Marzio told bettingexpert.com. The Nigeria striker has scored nine goals in 11 matches for Galatasaray (Picture: Getty)‘He wants to play and win there. ‘I will leave a small percentage for Galatasaray to try to buy him and I will discuss with Napoli to find an agreement.” ‘It would probably be less than the release clause, but Galatasaray are so happy with him that they plan to find a solution with Napoli.’ But while he remains focused on Galatasaray, it appears Osimhen wants to use the coming months to attract potential interest from the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United. ‘I know that a club in Saudi Arabia wants him. I don’t know the name of the club, but they are prepared to buy him for Napoli and get him back at the end of the season,’ Di Marzio added. ‘The problem is that they want to sign him now and Osimhen doesn’t want to sign now, he wants to wait. ‘He wants to use this season as an opportunity to let the Premier League clubs decide whether to make an offer to Napoli.’ According to Di Marzio, PSG are still in the running for Osimhen’s signature after failing with a bid for the Nigerian in the summer. ‘PSG are always an opportunity, and they’re the only club who have made an offer for him this summer,’ he continued. ‘They offered €220m for Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia, so maybe they’ll try to get both again. ‘But he wants to finish the season at Galatasaray, even if the Saudi Arabian club want to sign him now.’ Osimhen, who has quickly won over Galatasaray fans with his barnstorming start in Turkish football, appeared to rule out a January exit following the side’s Europa League win over Tottenham. ‘I’m here as a Galatasaray player, I’m happy here,’ Osimhen told reporters after netting twice in a 3-2 victory last month. ‘Since I came the Galatasaray fans, the club, I saw how big a family this club is. The way they have treated me and my family in a wonderful manner. It’s important to be able to give them my all on the pitch. ‘I’ve seen a lot of the speculation linking me out of the club in January, I can state through me now I’m going to be here until the end of the season. ‘And then I don’t know what Galatasaray and Napoli are negotiating but of course, if they come to me to speak about one or two things regarding this club I would consider it, of course. ‘But now I’m here, I’m focused on this team, I’m focused on the objective the club has set and I want to give my all and make sure that we win the league and if we can go further in the Europa League we can win it also because we have a good squad. ‘So far I’m enjoying my stay in Istanbul, it’s an amazing club I’m in. I’ll be there, for me it’s important I’m enjoying my football right now, I’m doing a lot for myself and my family and, of course, for this club. I’m happy to be here.’

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