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Napoli Slap £150m Price Tag On Osimhen – Report

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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.

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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.

READ ALSO: Osimhen Nominated For Serie A Player Of The Month Award

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.

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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.

READ ALSO: UCL: Chelsea Legend Begs Osimhen To Come EPL

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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.

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READ ALSO: Fans Queue To Buy Osimhen Mask As Striker Equals Higuain Record

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.

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

 

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Super Falcons Begin WAFCON Campaign With 3-0 Win Over Tunisia

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Nigeria began their pursuit of a record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title with an emphatic 3-0 win over Tunisia in Casablanca.

Veteran striker Asisat Oshoala opened the scoring in the fourth minute, capitalizing on a low, in-swinging free-kick from Rinsola Babajide. The former Barcelona star bundled the ball into the net during a scramble in the Tunisian penalty area.

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READ ALSO:Brighton Sign Super Falcons Goalkeeper Nnadozie From Paris FC

Babajide, who switched allegiance from England to Nigeria in 2023, doubled Nigeria’s lead just before halftime. The winger fired past Tunisia goalkeeper Soulaima Jobrani in first-half stoppage time to register her first-ever goal at a senior international tournament.

Chinwendu Ihezuo sealed the win late in the match, finishing off a precise cross from Ashleigh Plumptre in the 84th minute.

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The victory puts Nigeria at the top of Group B, ahead of the group’s other fixture between Algeria and Botswana later on Sunday (19:00 GMT).

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Arsenal Sign Spain Midfielder Zubimendi

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Arsenal on Sunday announced the signing of midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad in a deal reportedly worth around £55 million ($75 million).

Euro 2024 winner Zubimendi had previously been a target for Liverpool and was also linked with Real Madrid.

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This is a huge moment in my career,” said the defensive midfielder, who is understood to have put pen to paper on a five-year deal.

“It’s the move I was looking for and one I wanted to make. As soon as you set foot here, you realise how big this club and this team are.

“I set my sights on Arsenal because their style of play is a good fit for me. They have shown their potential recently and the best is yet to come.”

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READ ALSO:UK Police Charge Ex-Arsenal Midfielder Thomas Partey With Rape

The Athletic reported that Arsenal paid above Zubimendi’s 60 million euro ($71 million, £51 million) buyout clause in order to spread the cost of the fee over a number of installments.

Zubimendi, 26, made 236 appearances in all competitions for Sociedad after graduating from the club’s academy and has played 19 times for Spain.

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He will reinforce manager Mikel Arteta’s midfield options after the departures of Thomas Partey and Jorginho.

Zubimendi’s arrival paves the way for Arsenal’s record signing Declan Rice to play a more attacking midfield role alongside captain Martin Odegaard.

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Martin is a player who will bring a huge amount of quality and football intelligence to our team,” said Arteta.

He will fit in really well and he has all the attributes to be a key player for us.”

Zubimendi is Arsenal’s second signing of the summer transfer window after goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga joined from Chelsea.

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The Gunners are also expected to complete the signing of midfielder Christian Norgaard from Brentford.

Arsenal finished second in the Premier League last season for a third straight year and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League but ultimately ended up without a trophy for a fifth consecutive season.

READ ALSO:JUST IN: Arsenal Eliminate Real Madrid From Champions League, Advance To Semi-final

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Attention will now turn to the forward line as the Gunners try to see off champions Liverpool and Manchester City and claim a first league title since 2003/04.

Arteta’s men had to cope without a natural striker for much of last season due to long-term injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

Reports on Sunday suggest a deal for Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres is on the verge of being sealed to fill the need for a new number nine.

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Arsenal have also been linked with a move for Chelsea’s Noni Madueke.

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WAFCON 2024: Nigeria Vs Tunisia – Date, Time And Where To Watch

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Nigeria’s Super Falcons will begin their 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaign with a Group A showdown against Tunisia on Sunday, July 6, 2025.

Nigeria eyeing record 10th title against Tunisia

The Super Falcons, nine-time champions, are aiming to extend their dominance in African women’s football with a 10th WAFCON title. Their last win came in 2018. Despite their pedigree, Nigeria has stumbled in recent tournament openers, losing their first games in the past two editions—making a strong start this time essential.

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READ ALSO:Brighton Sign Super Falcons Goalkeeper Nnadozie From Paris FC

Strong preparations under Coach Madugu

Head coach Justine Madugu’s team arrives in Morocco in good form, with a 3-1 victory over Ghana’s Black Queens and a goalless draw against Portugal bolstering confidence. The squad also carries a positive mindset, with winger Rinsola Babajide expressing belief in their preparation and focus.

Adding to the excitement, key players Asisat Oshoala and Rasheedat Ajibade recently unveiled the newly designed WAFCON trophy, symbolizing the team’s hunger to reclaim continental glory.

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READ ALSO:Super Falcons To Face Portugal Ahead Of WAFCON 2025

Tunisia hoping to spring a surprise

Ranked 89th in the world, Tunisia enter the tournament as underdogs but are determined to prove themselves. Recent results, including friendly losses to Kenya (1-0) and Morocco (4-2), suggest inconsistency, but the North African side remains ambitious. They will be hoping to upset the Super Falcons and gain early momentum in a group that also features Algeria and Botswana.

Where to Watch

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The Nigeria vs Tunisia match will be broadcast live on AfroSport and SuperSport via DSTV. The match kicks off at 5:00 pm Nigeria time at the Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca, Morocco.

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