Nigerian Football
Manchester United ‘told’ £100m Victor Osimhen price tag
Manchester United will have to part with nine figures if they are to acquire Victor Osimhen from Napoli, according to reports.
The attacker is enjoying a fantastic season in Italy, having scored 15 goals in 25 games so far with his club pushing for the Serie A title. United have been linked with the forward for a number of months as they look to revamp their squad this summer.
Newcastle reputedly tried to prise Osimhen away from Napoli in January to the tune of €100m (£83.5m) but the club refused to let him leave. This is the fee United thought they would have to pay for his services come the end of the season with the player contracted in Naples until June 2025.
The 23-year-old’s form has continued to blossom since January, scoring six goals since the close of the winter transfer window — four of which have come in his last two league matches. And because of this, according to reports from Corriere dello Sport (via Football Italia), Napoli have now raised their asking price to €120m (£100m) with Newcastle and Arsenal also linked.
Meanwhile, Ralf Rangnick is said to be using his contacts at former club RB Leipzig to orchestrate a move for midfielder Konrad Laimer.
United are looking for a central midfielder to fill the void set to be left by Paul Pogba. The 29-year-old is set to leave Old Trafford for free this summer when his contract expires and the Manchester Evening News understands PSG have come with an offer albeit the player isn’t too keen.
German media outlet Bild claim Laimer is set to hold talks with Leipzig at the end of the season despite his contract running until 2023. It says United, along with Tottenham, are keeping tabs on the 24-year-old Austrian.
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Nigerian Football
Remo Stars win Star War against Sunshine Stars to take temporary NPFL lead
Remo Stars on Saturday made it two straight wins in the Nigeria Premier League after labouring to a 1-0 defeat of Sunshine Stars of Akure to follow-up their last weekend 2-0 away win over Abia Warriors.
On Saturday, under eight minutes they shot ahead through Shuaibu Ibrahim. That was where the story ended as Sunshine Stars came up strongly and almost stalemated scores.
The win, though narrow, is enough to temporarily take Remo Stars to the top of the log after two games.
They are followed by Rivers United who beat Heartland 3-1. It is the second consecutive 3-1 loss that Heartland are getting in the two-week old season.
The situation could change on Sunday when other matches are played.
On the card are: Akwa United hosting Abia Warriors while Kano Pillars will be away to Bayelsa United.
Katsina United host Bendel Insurance and Niger Tornadoes will be home to Nasarawa United. Shooting Stars will host Plateau United.
Nigerian Football
Westerhof recommends Siasia for Super Eagles’ job
BY KUNLE SOLAJA, who was in Arnhem, Netherlands.
Former Nigeria manager, Clemens Westerhof has recommended one of his former players, Samson Siasia as the substantial coach for the Super Eagles.
Siasia was one of his players of the famed golden generation of the Super Eagles.
“I called him last month to greet him for his birthday and also to celebrate with him for the end of his five-year ban”, Westerhof told Sports Village Square at his house in Arnhem in the Netherlands.
According to him, Siasia is just like Keshi and that he has the capacity to turn the Super Eagles around for the better. Westerhof, the author of the famed ‘Golden Generation’ of the Super Eagles made his suggestion shortly after Germany’s Bruce Labbadia turned down the Nigerian job offer.
Westerhof remarked that he was surprised about the choice of Labbadia in the first instance and that the now Mali coach, Tom Saintfiet who is his friend could have been a better choice.
Saintfiet, a Belgian, was speculated among the coaches initially short-listed for the Super Eagles’ job. But Westerhof, before the naming of Austin Eguavoen, another member of his famous 1994 squad, strongly back Siasia for the job.
He remarked that he was in touch with the former striker as well as Austin Okocha whom he met with in London recently.
To Westerhof, Siasia has the same quality like Stephen Keshi to handle the Super Eagles. “He has done it before and I think he can still do it.”
Nigerian Football
Plateau United’s Doyeni is first scorer of Season 2024/25
The balls hit the nets 17 times this Sunday as the Nigeria Premier League Season 2024/25 burst into life this Sunday.
The first of the goals was from Plateau United’s Olawale Doyeni who converted a 24th minute penalty kick against Katsina United in an eventual 1-0 home win.
Another star-man of the the day is Enyimba’s Clinton Jephta who has become the season’s first hat-trickster. His three goals in the 65th , 70th and 73rd minutes sank heartland 3-1 in their home match.
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