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Tag: Victor Osimhen

  • Lugue 1: PSG renew interest in Osimhen

    Lugue 1: PSG renew interest in Osimhen

    Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), the Ligue 1 champions, have submitted a bid worth €200 million for Napoli duo Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Victor Osimhen, according to Corriere dello Sport.

     

    PSG is looking to strengthen their attack following Kylian Mbappe’s departure to Real Madrid as a free agent, with his unveiling set for later this week.

     

    New Napoli manager Antonio Conte is determined to keep Kvaratskhelia in his squad, while Osimhen could potentially move, given his €130 million release clause.

     

    Despite PSG’s interest, Kvaratskhelia’s agent has hinted that his client may stay at Napoli and even extend his contract.

    On his part, Osimhen has also gotten offers from English Premier League side Chelsea FC.

  • Ligue 1: PSG shift attention away from Osimhen, target City striker

    Ligue 1: PSG shift attention away from Osimhen, target City striker

    Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) are in talks with Manchester City to sign forward Julian Alvarez as Kylian Mbappe’s replacement.

    PSG have stopped  the pursuit of Osimhem and instead concentrated on Alvarez as Mbappe’s replacement.

    The Ligue 1 champions initially prioritized a move for the Nigerian but high price tag from Napoli is hindering his acquisition.

    According to reports from CaughtOffside, Alvarez has emerged as a top target.

    Despite PSG’s interest, Pep Guardiola is adamant about keeping Alvarez.

    However Manchester City have informed Alvarez’s agents that they have no intention of selling him during the current transfer window and will reject any future offers.

  • Serie A: Napoli set to lower Osimhen’s release clause

    Serie A: Napoli set to lower Osimhen’s release clause

    Serie A side, Napoli have said that they will consider lowering Osimhen’s asking price.

    Many Clubsides have been dissuaded from signing the forward due to his humongous €150 million release clause, thus scaring potential suitors away.

    However,  reports emanating from Calciomercato, claims that the Partenopei may now be ready to lower their initial valuation to €100 million.

    The former Serie A champions are looking to free up much needed transfer funds for new boss Antonio Conte, who is understood to be desperate to land Belgian international striker Romelu Lukaku this summer.

    With the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain not really keen on signing Osimhen at the moment, the only avenue open is a move to Saudi Arabia.

    The 25-year-old is however not keen on the option at the moment.

     

  • Serie A: Osimhen advised to stay back at Napoli

    Serie A: Osimhen advised to stay back at Napoli

    Napoli’s new  manager, Antonio Conte has called for a meeting with Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen.

    Conte wants to discuss Osimhen’s future amid uncertainty over a potential exit from the club.

    Reports say that the Italian manager will be trying to convince the Super Eagles striker to remain with the Serie A side.

    At the moment, nobody is ready to pay Osimhen’s €130m release clause.

    Chelsea and Manchester United have opted to shift focus to younger forwards like Samuel Omorodion and Joshua Zirkzee, while Arsenal are now reportedly in talks with Viktor Gyökeres.

    There is no bid forthcoming from PSG at the moment with only Al Ahli and Al Hilal looking as the only serious interested clubs. But the 25-year-old is not interested in a move to the Saudi Pro League.

  • Transfer: Arsenal approach Napoli for Osimhen deal with €75m

    Transfer: Arsenal approach Napoli for Osimhen deal with €75m

    Arsenal have approached Napoli for the signature of Victor Osimhen with an offer €75m against the player’s €120m release clause set by Napoli.

    Osimhen continues to be highly regarded as one of the top strikers in Europe, with offers coming from right left and center.

    Napoli are willing to allow Osimhen leave if they get the right deal.

    Arsenal is in search of a new striker, viewing Osimhen as a strong candidate after their failed attempt to sign Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig.

    However, according to a report on Calcio Napoli24, Arsenal has no intention of paying the full release clause. They are prepared to offer €75m to secure the former Lille striker.

    This amount represents their maximum offer, and it is presented as a take-it-or-leave-it proposition to Napoli.

    Osimhen is one of the finest strikers in the market at the moment, and the Nigerian star is likely to leave Napoli this summer.

    He is more prolific than our current options and will add more goals to our game, but he is not worth €120m, and we should not be bullied into paying that much for him.

  • BREAKING: NFF breaks silence on reported ban of Osimhen from Super Eagles

    BREAKING: NFF breaks silence on reported ban of Osimhen from Super Eagles

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has opened up on reportedly banning Victor Osimhen from the Super Eagles team over his outburst against Finidi George.

    The NFF described as outright falsehood the reports that Osimhen had been banned from the team, for his social media outburst a few days ago.

    Reports had emerged in some online publications on Wednesday that the football-governing body had slammed a ban on Super Eagles’ forward.

    However, NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi expressed amazement at the reports, saying the Federation has neither instructed a process nor has a process been concluded to ban the player from the National Team.

    “The NFF hereby implores the media to join hands with the body to positively resolve issues and then focus on the big picture all the time, rather than needlessly escalate certain matters.

    “There was no official communication from the NFF, yet some persons have gone to town to talk about a ban on Osimhen from the National Team. This is not good at all.

    “Our focus presently is to resolve all matters around the Super Eagles and be able to look ahead with confidence to the 2025 AFCON qualifiers and the remaining six matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification series.

    “This is not the time to spread falsehood and foul the public space the more,” a statement by Sanusi reads.

  • Ighalo reacts to Osimhen’s comment on Finidi

    Ighalo reacts to Osimhen’s comment on Finidi

    Former Nigeria international,  Odion Ighalo has advised Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen to remain ‘calm’ following an explosive Instagram rant against former coach Finidi George.

    It would be recalled that Osimhen had missed Nigeria’s recent World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Republic while recovering from injury.

    However, during an Instagram live session on Saturday, Osimhen called out Finidi, expressing his loss of respect for the former Enyimba manager due to unconfirmed reports suggesting Finidi had questioned his commitment to the national team.

    Despite efforts from friends, fans, and colleagues to pacify him, Osimhen appeared visibly angry.

    Among the comments was one from former Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo.

    Ighalo advised Osimhen as he commented: “Boy, calm down and end the live.”

    Osimhen, however, maintained his defiance, declaring himself a fearless, grown man.

  • Victor Osimhen blasts Finidi, accuses him of lying against him

    Victor Osimhen blasts Finidi, accuses him of lying against him

    Victor Osimhen has launched verbal attacks on former Super Eagles coach, Finidi George few hours after he tendered his resignation letter as the coach of the team.

    There were speculations that  Finidi accused Osimhen of pulling out of games for the national team with minor injuries.

    Osimhen, who netted 15 goals for Napoli in Serie A this season, claims he suffered an ankle injury against Lecce on May 25.

    Osimhen said he was diagnosed of injuries by his doctors and he immediately informed Finidi.

    Continuing he said, he wanted to come to camp to motivate the boys ahead of South Africa and Benin but Finidi declined asking him to go and meet his family.

    In an angry Instagram Live video, Osimhen said: “I won’t let anyone believe anything about me.

    “I don’t just address anything, everybody knows when I play for Nigeria I play my heart out, I just let everything go.

    “But I won’t take disrespect from anybody

    “I’ll share the screenshot and videos of my conversation with Finidi for the sake of those believing what Finidi said.

    “I’ve lost respect for that man because before I disrespect anybody, I always respect them.”

  • Victor Osimhen blows hot at Finidi George over allegation of refusing to play

    Victor Osimhen blows hot at Finidi George over allegation of refusing to play

    Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen has slammed the Super Eagles coach, Finidi George who has now resigned following the allegation made against him.

    Osimhen, who allegedly gave an official explanation for his absence, was not available for the two World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin.

    It was reported that George, during his visit to the sport minister, John Enoch singled Osimhen out for criticism over the poor results registered by the team in the two World Cup qualifying matches.

    A source was quoted by The Nation as saying, “The coach went on to say that it appears that Osimhen chooses the games he plays for Nigeria and he (George) cannot beg him to play for his country.”

    George, a former Enyimba coach, also bemoaned the complete breakdown of discipline in the team.

    He said many of the players had the backing of some powerful NFF board members and that it became increasingly difficult to sanction them because he would often be warned that a player “belonged” to a certain “big man.”

    However, speaking in a live Instagram session on Saturday, Osimhen said in Pidgin English, “After my MRI the next day I went to see the doctor. Immediately I called Finidi. I told one of my guys to do a video as the doctor was speaking to Finidi and I. I have it all on video.”

    He added, “I don’t care if that thing that Finidi said is false or whatever I will post the video and photo on my (Instagram) Story and the screenshot. The respect I have for that man I have lost because I told him about my injury.

    “I called him and told him to allow me come to the camp and be with the boys regardless of my injury. I have all these things on video. He said I should be with my family.”

  • 10th Nigeria Pitch Awards: Osimhen, Oshoala, Finidi, Sanwo-Olu emerge winners

    10th Nigeria Pitch Awards: Osimhen, Oshoala, Finidi, Sanwo-Olu emerge winners

    Victor Osimhen, Napoli FC and Super Eagles forward sensation made history as he starves off competition from teammate, Victor Boniface, Robert Mizo of Bayelsa United and Emeka Obiora of Enyimba International FC to emerge the Striker of the Year and King of the Pitch for the third straight year, making him the first player to achieve this feat on the platform of the prestigious Nigeria Pitch Awards.

     

    Asisat Oshoala, the African Football Queen was voted the Queen of the Pitch ahead of Rasheedat Ajibade of Atlético de Madrid Femenino and Chiamaka Nnadozi, the Paris FC Goalkeeper.

     

    The Award Ceremony began with a very colourful, energetic and exciting dance from the Akwabio Cultural Group. Leading the long list of dignitaries were Ibrahim Musa Gusau, President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, the General Secretary of the Federation, CP Patrick Ateyero, the CP Sports of the Nigeria Police Force who was standing in for the Inspector-General of Police, Nigerian Ex-international and the 1997 CAF African Footballer of the Year, Victor Ikpeba, CP Waheed Ayilara, Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police, Mr Oluwadare Ojelade, a Director in SIAO Partners, Finidi George and the entire technical crew, all members of the Super Eagles present in Uyo, representives of MTN Nigeria, GTI and other nominees.

     

    The NFF President reiterated the Federation’s support for the Nigerian Pitch Awards while hailing organizers for the transparency and credibility displayed in the award process. Speaking on Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualification on the heels of the Nigeria – South Africa qualifier match played on the 7th June at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, Ibrahim Gusau, while appealing for support and prayers, assured Nigerians of the determination of the Federation and the players to secure a World Cup slot.

     

    Speaking on the award process, Mr Oluwadare, the SIAO representative, stated that voting for the 2023 edition of the Nigeria Pitch Awards commenced on Monday 11th December 2023 and closed on Friday 19th January 2024. ‘The results’, he noted, ‘passed through 3 levels of scrutiny: They were collated and reviewed by a team set up specifically to handle this process … A second level of verification was done by another independent unit and’ thirdly ‘Quality Control’s Arm of the firm completes the rigorous but exciting exercise’.

     

    Organizers honoured IGP Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector-General of Police who pioneered the introduction of football as an event in the finals of the 14th BIPOGA in Ibadan in February 2024. Also honoured were John Momoh, Chairman and CEO of Channels for the Channels Kids Cup initiative and Ibrahim Gusua, the NFF President.

     

    In the Goalkeeper of the Year category, Ojo Olorunleke emerged winner ahead of Amas Obasogie of Bendel Insurance FC and Kayode Bankole of Remo Stars FC.

     

    Ola Aina, Nottingham Forest FC and Super Eagles left full back was voted Defender of the Year to beat his Super Eagles teammates Calvin Bassey of Fulham FC who won it last year and Bright Osayi-Samuel, Fenerbahçe SK.

     

    Alex Iwobi, in form Fulham FC midfielder emerged Midfielder of the Year ahead of Wilfred Ndidi, Leicester City FC defensive midfielder and Al Hassan Yusuf of Royal Antwerp FC.

     

    Super Eagles Manager was voted the Coach of the Year 2023 for his exploits while he was Coach of Enyimba International FC where he led the team to finish top of the NPFL league.

     

    MTN Nigeria was voted Best Corporate Sponsor of Football 2023 as the brand saw off competition from GTI Financial and Nigeria’s sports betting giant, Bet9ja.

     

    Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Governor of Lagos State was voted the Football Friendly Governor of the Year while Lagos State emerged the State with the Best Grassroots Football Development Programme in the country in 2023.

    The highly competitive Sam Okwaraji Award for commitment to the development of Nigerian football for 2023 went to Hon. Kunle Soname, the chairman of Remo Stars.

     

    Full Result

     

    Goalkeeper of the Year

    Ojo Olorunleke – Enyimba FC

     

    Defender of the Year

    Ola Aina – Nottingham Forest FC –

     

    Midfielder of the Year 

    Alex Iwobi – Fulham FC

     

    Striker of the Year

    Victor Osimhen – Napoli FC

     

    Queen of the Pitch

    Asisat Oshoala – Bay FC

     

    King of the Pitch

    Victor Osimhen – Napoli FC

     

    Team of the Year            

    Enyimba International FC                    

     

    Coach of the Year

    Finidi George – Enyimba FC

     

    Sam Okwaraji Award

    Kunle Soname – Chairman, Remo Stars

     

    State with the Best Grassroots Football Development Programme

    Lagos State

     

    Football Pitch of the Year

    Godswill Akpabio Int’l Stadium

     

    Football Friendly Governor of the Year

    His Excellency, Babajide Sanwo-Olu – Lagos State

     

    Best Corporate Sponsor of Football Award

    MTN Nigeria

     

    Sportsmanship Award

    Hon. Kunle Soname – Chairman, Remo Stars FC

     

    Football Journalist of the Year – Print

    Johnny Edward – Punch Newspapers

     

    Football Journalist of the Year – Tv

    Mozez Praiz – Supersport

     

    Football Journalist of the Year – Radio

    Anthony Bekederemo – Brila 88.9 FM

     

    Football Journalist of the Year – Online

    Tobi Adepoju – Oganla Media