Sports

Napoli Slap £150m Price Tag On Osimhen – Report

Published

3 months ago

March 21, 2023

Napoli will demand £150million for their star striker Victor Osimhen this summer, according to reports, with Manchester United and Chelsea chasing his signature.

Osimhen is one of the most sought-after strikers in Europe and has turned heads with his clinical displays that have seen him net 25 goals for the Naples outfit and helped them go 19 points clear at the top of Serie A.

A report credited to Il Mattino by Mail Online says Napoli are braced for a flood of offers for the 24-year-old at the end of the season after his dazzling campaign – and have geared up for the interest by slapping a huge price tag on the Nigerian.

The Italian outfit are under no pressure to sell their prized asset – who is under contract until 2025 – with president Aurelio De Laurentiis not interested in sitting down with any club who offers a penny short of the £150m asking price.

It added that Osimhen would be interested in joining United, who had made signing a new striker a priority this summer – but club officials may be put off by the eye-water price Napoli were after.

Erik ten Hag is desperate for more firepower to put his team in touching distance of the likes of Arsenal and Man City – who are the only two sides in the Premier League title race this season.

United are also interested in Harry Kane – but they are already warned that he will set them back £100m this summer, with the Tottenham forward’s contract expiring in 2024.

The Times claimed Spurs will also reject any attempt for United to pay the sum for Kane in instalments as they look to avoid selling to a domestic rival and convince him to sign a new deal – despite the team’s troubling season.

However, he would still remain a cheaper option than Osimhen, with United also keen on RB Salzburg’s Benjamin Sesko. The Slovenian star has already agreed a move to Leipzig, but United could still hijack the deal.

Mail Online gathered that Chelsea had also been strongly linked with Osimhen. The Blues have spent a whopping £600m on new players under new owner Todd Boehly this season but are still in need of a reliable goalscorer – with Joao Felix and Kai Havertz struggling to provide a regular supply of goals.

Italian outlet Calciomercato recently reported that the Blues have identified Osimhen as having ‘the right profile’ for the club – and that Boehly was planning to offer them cash plus Christian Pulisic in return.

Speaking this month, Osimhen confirmed he would sit down with his agents to discuss his future at the end of the season.

Sports

How Cristiano Ronaldo Influenced My Move To Saudi Arabia – Benzema

Published

18 hours ago

June 7, 2023

Editor

Karim Benzema has broken silence after signing for Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad.

The 35-year-old’s move to the Middle East was officially confirmed on Tuesday evening.

The move comes after a 14-year stint with the Spanish champions where he won an array of trophies, leaving behind a behemoth of a legacy.

The Frenchman joins Cristiano Ronaldo who he claimed is a good friend and showed that Saudi football was getting ahead.

“Al Ittihad is a new challenge for me. It’s a good league and there are many good players.

“Cristiano Ronaldo is already here, he is a friend who shows that Saudi Arabia is starting to get ahead and I am here to win as I did in Europe,” Benzema said.

The Ballon d’Or winner signed a two-year contract that will see him earn a whopping sum of €200m annually.

Sports

Blow For Man United As Chelsea Open Talks To Sign Neymar

Published

18 hours ago

June 7, 2023

Editor

Chelsea have reportedly opened talks with Paris Saint-Germain over a possible summer transfer for Neymar.

The Brazillian could be on the verge of leaving the Ligue 1 champions following the looming exit of friend and teammate, Lionel Messi.

The Brazilian endured another difficult season with the French champions with his season wounding up in February due to an ankle injury in February.

The 32-year-old only managed 18 goals and 17 assists in 29 appearances for the Parisians.

This development compounded the grudge PSG fans hold towards Neymar who has largely failed to live up to expectations and has become the target of criticism.

After it was earlier reported that Manchester United and Newcastle were eager to bring him to England, Chelsea are now the latest club looking to secure his service by opening negotiations with PSG, according to Le10 Sport

The Blues’ new boss, Mauricio Pochettino, is said to want a reunion with Neymar, having previously managed him during his stint at PSG in the 2021-22 season.

Sports

FIFA Honours Napoli Hero Osimhen With Special Ball, Jersey

Published

18 hours ago

June 7, 2023

Editor

The Federation of International Football Association, FIFA, has gifted Victor Osimhen with a special jersey and ball following the forward’s outstanding performance for Napoli in the 2022/23 season.

Osimhen was pivotal to Napoli winning the Scudetto for the first time in 33 years.

The 24-year-old scored 26 goals and registered four assists in 32 league appearances for the Partenopei.

The striker also netted five times in six appearances for his club in the UEFA Champions League.

Osimhen claimed the top scorer award in Serie A, the first African to achieve the feat.

The former Wolfsburg player was also named best forward and included in the Team of the Season.

“Victor Osimhen, you represent at the moment what football can do,” FIFA wrote in a message to the player.

“From Lagos to Napoli where people love you, you have suffered, but your love for football and determination have guided you.

“Keep going, keep pushing. Africa needs examples and millions are watching and dreaming.”