The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Galatasaray

  • Galatasaray plot Osayi-Samuel transfer from Fenerbahce

    Galatasaray plot Osayi-Samuel transfer from Fenerbahce

    Reigning Turkish champions Galatasaray are plotting a move for Super Eagles defender Bright Osayi-Samuel at the end of the season, Soccernet.ng reports.

    Osayi-Samuel has been impressive for Fenerbahce since he moved to the club for €508,000 three years ago. The versatile Nigerian defender has been quite reliable from his right-back position, helping the club to the Turkish Cup two years ago.

    Fenerbahce are in real danger of losing Osayi-Samuel, as his contract expires at the end of the season. The Turkish giants have made several efforts to convince him to sign a new deal, but he has remained adamant, as he wants bigger pay.

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    Meanwhile, reigning Turkish champions Galatasaray appear to be monitoring the situation. And according to Depar Sports, they are interested in signing Osayi-Samuel when his contract expires at the end of the campaign.

    Now, this is quite big due to the peculiar nature of the Turkish football terrain. Fenerbahce and Galatasaray － both Istanbul clubs－ have one of the most brutal rivalries in club football.

    If Fenerbahce do not get Osayi-Samuel to sign a new deal, they would do everything possible to stop him from joining their biggest rivals.

  • Osimhen nets brace to open Galatasaray account

    Osimhen nets brace to open Galatasaray account

    Victor Osimhen scored twice for Galatasaray Saturday evening after he had assisted in his first three matches.

    The Napoli loanee got his first goal in the 20th minute before he fired a brace eight minutes later.

    He displayed a jersey announcing ‘finally’ when he scored his first goal at Kasimpasa.

    His second effort was awesome as he had to shield a long ball away from his marker before he rifled home with the left foot.

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    He also provided an assist for the third goal to now make it four assists in as many matches.

    He was later replaced when he felt a slight pain.

    However, hosts Kasimpasa with Super Eagles defender Kenneth Omeruo a second-half sub fought back to draw 3-3 in stoppage time.

    It was the first draw by table-topping ‘Gala’ this season.

  • Galatasaray coach to unleash Osimhen, Icardi on Kasimpasa

    Galatasaray coach to unleash Osimhen, Icardi on Kasimpasa

    Galatasaray coach Orkan Buruk is planning to pair Victor Osimhen with Mauro Icardi for their Turkish Super Lig clash against Kasimpasa on Saturday, Soccernet.ng reports.

    Osimhen has become the poster boy for Galatasaray since he joined the club from Napoli in the summer. Since he joined, he has dominated most of the news in and around the club, and has most of the fans behind him.

    When Osimhen arrived, it was clear that he was going to become the first-choice striker at the club despite the presence of stars like Icardi, Dries Mertens, and Michy Batshuayi.

    Nonetheless, with all these stars, it was expected that Buruk would pair Osimhen with another striker.

    In the Lions’ first few games of the season, Buruk has deployed two-man striking force with either Osimhen or Batshuayi and Mertens.

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    However, that was due to Icardi’s injury. But on Wednesday, the Argentine hitman returned to action for Galatasaray and scored for them in their 3-1 win over PAOK.

    Now that Icardi is fully back, there are reports that coach Buruk is planning to pair Osimhen with Icardi in the attack. This invariably means that Mertens would be benched.

  • Galatasaray won’t  allow Osimhen  leave in January 

    Galatasaray won’t  allow Osimhen  leave in January 

    Chelsea renew interest in Nigerian ace

    Turkish giants Galatasaray have quenched  speculations  of a potential  return of  Nigeria International striker, Victor Osimhen, to  the Italian  Serie A  with Juventus.

     The 25-year-old Osimhen  only left  Napoli early  this month on a dry loan  to Galatasaray after  his desired  move to  English Premier League (EPL)  with Chelsea collapsed  on  the  summer transfer deadline day on August 31.

    But  it emerged on Monday that   the Old Lady of Italian football   are  now willing to  enlist the services of  the Nigerian.Calciomercato.com claimed  that club director Giuntoli is on good terms with the striker and his agent Roberto Calenda, so the 25-year-old forward could be an option at the end of the season, especially if Dusan Vlahovic continues to struggle under Thiago Motta.

    But Galatasaray  vice president Ibrahim Hatipoglu has firmly shut down such rumours, stating unequivocally that there is ‘no possibility of Osimhen leaving the team in January.’

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     “There is no possibility of Osimhen leaving the team in January,” he stated matter-of-factly, adding Osimhen is more than happy  in Turkey.  “We are thinking of having him play with us next season as well. He will remain a Galatasaray player until June.

     “The player demonstrates in every match how attached he is to the club. People play where they are happy. He has a contract with us until the end of the season.”

    Hatipoglu went on to suggest that Galatasaray’s focus is on retaining Osimhen beyond his current loan deal: “We should rather think about how to continue with him in the coming seasons. It makes no sense to discuss whether he will leave during the mid-season break.”

    The Turkish club secured Osimhen on a dry loan from Napoli, covering his €6 million salary.

    Looking ahead to next season, Osimhen’s release clause with Napoli  stands at €75 million plus taxes, but this is only valid for foreign clubs. 

    Meanwhile, Chelsea have reportedly  renew  Osimhen’s  pursuit with talks beginning over a deal.

    According to TEAMtalk, the Blues have held ‘fresh talks’ with Osimhen’s representatives over a 2025 move to Stamford Bridge.

  • Galatasaray to cough N10.6 billion as Osimhen completes loan move

    Galatasaray to cough N10.6 billion as Osimhen completes loan move

    Victor Osimhen has joined Galatasaray on a season-long loan from Napoli, the Turkish club announced.

    Galatasaray will pay €6 million (about N10.6 billion) net to the 25-year-old Nigeria international for the 2024-2025 season, the club said in a statement, with Napoli adding that the agreement lasts until the end of June.

    Osimhen signed a contract extension with the Italian club last December through to 2026 with a reported release clause of €130 million.

    Napoli have also reached an agreement with Osimhen that means they retain an option to extend his contract until 2027, the Serie A club said in a statement.

    Osimhen, 25, had been the subject of considerable transfer interest from around Europe this summer, but Chelsea’s and Paris Saint-Germain’s attempts to sign the forward fell short and he has instead sealed a temporary move to the Turkish Super Lig.

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    The Nigeria international was also heavily linked with Al Ahli, with sources telling ESPN that Napoli had accepted an €80 million ($88.5 million) offer from the Saudi Pro League side, but Osimhen expressed doubts about leaving European football.

    Osimhen was then not included in Antonio Conte’s official 23-man Serie A squad for this season, with the Galatasaray move offering him a route back to first-team football.

    While the transfer windows in many of Europe’s top leagues closed last week, the transfer window in Turkey is open until Sept. 18.

    Osimhen joined Napoli in 2020 and played 133 games for the Serie A club, scoring 76 times.

    In 2022-23, he helped the team win their first Scudetto since 1990, scoring 26 times that term, though his output stuttered in an injury-affected 2023-24 campaign as Napoli finished 10th.

    Galatasaray are in this season’s revamped Europa League under the stewardship of Okan Buruk.

    The Istanbul-based club have won all three of their games to begin the 2023-24 league campaign, trailing Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce by a point with a game in hand.

  • Osimhen excited with Napoli’s  mate at Galatasaray

    Osimhen excited with Napoli’s  mate at Galatasaray

    Victor Osimhen has revealed that he spoke to his former Napoli teammate Dries Mertens before deciding to move to Galatasaray on loan for the 2024-25 season, and spoke of his excitement of linking up with his old Partenopei colleague again. 

    The Nigeria international arrived in Istanbul on Monday night, met by a rapturous reception at the airport, despite getting in at around 3 in the morning local time. 

    He will spend the 2024-25 season on loan with Galatasaray after seeing a permanent move away from Napoli fall through on deadline day. Osimhen had been in talks with both Al-Ahli and Chelsea, but a deal was not completed with either. 

    As he would have remained exiled from the Napoli first team had he stayed put at the Stadio Maradona, a swift agreement was made with Galatasaray, who are expected to cover the player’s wages for season. 

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    The 25-year-old, in good spirits upon his arrival in Turkey, was keen to interact with fans and get the chants going in the airport’s arrivals area. 

    He also spoke to local media, telling them about his excitement of playing with Mertens once again. 

     “The atmosphere is incredible. It’s great to be here and to see Mertens again. I spoke to him before coming here,” Osimhen said, via Corriere dello Sport. 

  • Galatasaray continue chase for  Ndidi

    Galatasaray continue chase for  Ndidi

    Turkish Super Lig champions, Galatasaray continued to show they are unrelenting in their pursuit to secure the signing of Nigerian midfielder Wilfred Ndidi from Leicester City.

    The Super Eagles star is set to become a free agent at the end of the month, as his contract with the Foxes is set to expire. Despite this, Leicester City remains hopeful of retaining the experienced midfielder and are working to secure a new contract with him.

    According to transfer expert Nicolo Schira, Galatasaray has made an offer to Ndidi, proposing a three-year contract with the option of an additional year. This move highlights the Turkish club’s strong interest in bringing the Nigerian international to their squad.

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    Ndidi joined Leicester City in 2017 and has since made a significant impact, recording 17 goals and 17 assists in 273 appearances across all competitions. His defensive prowess and consistent performances have made him a key player for the Foxes, and his potential departure will be a significant loss for the club.

    As negotiations continue, it remains to be seen whether Ndidi will extend his stay at King Power Stadium or embark on a new chapter with Galatasaray.

  • UCL: Man Utd, Galatasaray settle for draw

    UCL: Man Utd, Galatasaray settle for draw

    Manchester United’s Champions League hopes suffered another setback as a horror show from goalkeeper Andre Onana allowed Galatasaray to earn a draw in a classic match in Istanbul.

    Erik ten Hag’s side did so much right and twice held a two-goal lead but errors from Onana threw Galatasaray lifelines to leave United bottom of Group A with their hopes of reaching the knockout phase in the balance before their final game at home to Bayern Munich.

    If Copenhagen beat Bayern Munich at Allianz Arena later on Wednesday, Manchester United will be knocked out of the competition with a game to spare, although they could still qualify for the Europa League.

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    United, as they did in their last Champions League game in Copenhagen, were in a commanding position early on after superb strikes from Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes inside the first 18 minutes.

    Onana’s poor attempt to stop Hakim Ziyech’s free-kick got Galatasaray back in the game before half-time but United looked to have gained control again in what was a hostile atmosphere when Scott McTominay turned in Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s cross 10 minutes after the break to make it 3-1.

    However Ziyech was gifted a second goal from another free-kick after an even more stark blunder from Onana, who made a hapless attempt to keep the ball out, before Galatasaray substitute Kerem Akturkoglu’s explosive finish brought them level with 19 minutes left.

    In a dramatic end-to-end finale, Wilfried Zaha missed a glorious chance for Galatasaray and Fernandes struck the upright as United’s Champions League destiny was taken out of their own hands.

    BBC SPORT

  • Onyekwuru turns Oliver Twist after scoring for Galatasaray

     

    Super Eagles forward Henry Onyekwuru was in a refreshing mood after scoring against compatriot Victor Moses’s Fenerbahce in the Turkish league last Sunday, but regretted that the game ended in a 1-1 draw.

    Onyekwuru who found the net in the 66th minute of the match that produced a lot of caution from Centre referee Ali Palabıyık said it was one match they had vowed to win with intent to claiming the maximum three points at stake.

    Both Onyekwuru and Victor Moses played for full 90 minutes with Moses only replaced in the two minutes of added time by home boy Alper Potuk. Onyekwuru’s goal was cancelled out five minutes later by Eljif Elmas to pull Fenerbahce level as the two teams ultimately settled for a point apiece.

    The result leaves Galatasaray five points behind log leaders Istanbul Basaksehir who are closing in on a first Turkish Super Lig title even as they get set to host 11th placed Kayserispor on Saturday

    “When you play against your rival, it is a very important and nice feeling for a footballer to score in such a match. I’m happy to have this feeling, but it was a game we wanted to win,” Onyekuru told Galatasaray’s official website.

    “The score did not satisfy us. After this time, we have nothing to do. We have to put this match aside and prepare for each match separately.

    “You know anything can happen in football. There is five-point difference but every moment can be everything. We need to fix our mistakes, we need to work harder and continue without error. As I have just said, anything can happen at any moment,” he concluded.

    Unfortunately both Onyekwuru and Victor Moses had their own share of the yellow cards in the match that produced nine yellow cards and a red.

    The two Nigerians may be missing in their club’s next match against Kayserispor and Alanyaspor respectively.

    Onyekwuru who stands a good chance of making Super Eagles squad to the Nations cup in Egypt due for submission June 10, has so far netted 12 goals for Gala this season.

  • Galatasaray begin Onyekuru talks with Everton

     

    Turkish side Galatasaray have opened talks with Everton over a possible move for Nigerian international Henry Onyekwuru

    Onyekwuru joined the Toffees ahead of the 2017-18 season, but was immediately loaned out to Anderlecht.

    He scored nine goals in 19 appearances for the Belgian side before a knee injury in January cut his campaign short. Galatasaray said on Twitter on Monday that formal negotiations have started with the Goodison Park outfit to take Onyekuru to Turkey, on what is thought to be an initial loan deal.

    Onyekuru arrived on Merseyside after a fine season in Belgium with Eupen – his 22 goals making him the Belgian First Division A’s joint-top scorer

    Onyekuru was called up for the Super Eagles camp in May 2017.He made his senior debut for Nigeria in a 3–0 friendly win over Togo on 1 June 2017.

    The 21 year old known to be very pacy on a good day, began his football career with the Aspire Academy in 2010, and graduated in 2015 joining their partner club, K.A.S. Eupen. He made his debut for Eupen on 5 September 2015 in a 2–2 tie against K.F.C. Dessel Sport in the Belgian Second Division, and helped the team get promoted to the Belgian First

    Division A in his debut season,before making  his professional debut in a 3–0 loss on 30 July 2016 against S.V. Zulte Waregem.After a successful season in the Belgium first division, Onyekuru finished as one of the top scorers in the league, catching the attention of various larger teams in Europe.

    He finished the 2016–17 season as joint top-scorer with 22 goals, but the trophy was handed to Łukasz Teodorczyk as he scored more away goals than Onyekwuru who was nonetheless given accolades for contributing immensely to the team’s dream achievement.