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Sterling and Sancho seal deadline day loans to rival clubs, Toney makes Saudi move

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Champions League - Final - Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - June 1, 2024 Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho REUTERS/Dylan Martinez/File Photo

A flurry of activity on transfer deadline day finished with frozen out England wingers Raheem Sterling and Jadon Sancho finalising loan deals with rival Premier League clubs while Ivan Toney sealed a move to Saudi Arabia on Friday.

While Sterling crossed the London divide to move from Chelsea to Arsenal, Sancho left Manchester United on loan once again to effectively replace his international teammate at Stamford Bridge, the British media reported.

Sterling was told by new Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca that he had no place in the squad and Arsenal swooped in to sign him with manager Mikel Arteta an admirer having worked with the winger at Manchester City during his spell as assistant coach.

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 England Training – Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre, Hertfordshire – 16/11/15 England’s Raheem Sterling during training Action Images via Reuters / John Sibley/File Photo

Sancho had been at odds with United boss Erik ten Hag and despite being an 85 million euros ($93.90 million) recruit, the Old Trafford club saw fit to let him go on loan a second time after his spell with former club Borussia Dortmund last season.

Toney, once Brentford’s lynchpin in attack, has moved to Al-Ahli for 40 million pounds ($52.50 million) after the club cashed in on the striker who helped them gain promotion to the top flight in 2021.

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But Toney did his career no favours when he received an eight-month ban for 232 breaches of betting rules, which saw him miss half the 2023-24 season.

“I’m happy he has an opportunity to try something new in his life and career,” Brentford coach Thomas Frank said.

“We thank him for so many magic moments and wish him all the best for his next chapter. Ivan leaves as a Brentford legend.”

Arsenal were quite busy with players leaving on deadline day as goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale made a permanent switch to Southampton, which forced the north London club to sign Neto on loan from Bournemouth.

PALACE AND WOLVES BUSY

Meanwhile, Eddie Nketiah became the latest academy player to leave Arsenal as he moved to Crystal Palace for around 30 million pounds while Reiss Nelson joined Fulham on loan.

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Palace also signed centre back Maxence Lacroix while Matt Turner arrives for a season-long loan. Wolverhampton Wanderers had three incoming transfers on deadline day – keeper Sam Johnstone, midfielder Andre and winger Carlos Forbs.

Chelsea allowed Armando Broja to join Everton on a season-long loan with an option to make the move permanent in 2025.

Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay ended a 22-year stay at United, a club he joined when he was five years old, to make the switch to Serie A side Napoli for 30.5 million euros. The Italian club also signed his Scotland teammate Billy Gilmour.

McTominay’s departure allowed United to sign their primary target Manuel Ugarte from Paris St Germain on a five-year deal in a deal worth 50 million euros.

AC Milan added to their attacking options by snapping up AS Roma striker Tammy Abraham on a season-long loan.

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-Reuters

Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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PSG Plot €75m Move for Osimhen as Summer Transfer Rumours Intensify

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Speculation from the United Kingdom’s transfer circuit has placed Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen at the centre of another high-profile summer move, with French champions Paris Saint-Germain reportedly preparing a €75 million bid.

According to reports circulating in European media, PSG are targeting Osimhen as a potential replacement for Gonçalo Ramos, who could leave the club at the end of the season. The Ligue 1 side, managed by Luis Enrique, are said to view the Nigerian forward as the “perfect” addition to spearhead their attack.

Osimhen, currently on loan at Galatasaray, has continued to attract interest from Europe’s elite clubs following his consistent goal-scoring exploits over the past three seasons. A move to Paris would further elevate his status as one of Africa’s most sought-after forwards, especially amid uncertainty surrounding the future of Ousmane Dembélé despite his recent individual accolades.

For Nigeria, any big-money transfer involving Osimhen would reinforce the country’s enduring reputation as a leading exporter of top attacking talent to Europe’s biggest leagues.

Meanwhile, in England, Manchester United are reportedly preparing for a major midfield overhaul, with a transfer budget of around €170 million earmarked to recruit three players. The club is said to be planning for life after Casemiro and has drawn up a shortlist that includes Aurélien Tchouaméni, Sandro Tonali, Adam Wharton, Carlos Baleba and Elliot Anderson.

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Additional options under consideration include Matheus Fernandes, Alex Scott and Tyler Adams, while Shea Charles has been mentioned as a potential squad reinforcement.

Elsewhere, Liverpool are believed to be bracing for the possible departure of goalkeeper Alisson Becker. Italian giants Juventus are reportedly interested in the former AS Roma shot-stopper, who is entering the final year of his contract.

While these reports remain speculative, they underline the scale of movement expected in Europe’s summer transfer window, one that could yet see Nigeria’s Osimhen headline the continent’s biggest deals.

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Barcelona Target Victor Osimhen in transfer market overhaul

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FC Barcelona have reportedly identified Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen as one of their targets ahead of the summer transfer window, as the Catalan giants look to reinforce their attacking options.

According to reports from Catalunya Radio, obtained via Tribuna.com, Barcelona have prioritised strengthening the centre-forward position but face major obstacles in pursuing elite names such as Julian Alvarez, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane due to ongoing financial and structural constraints.

As a result, the club’s sporting department, led by Deco, has shifted focus toward more attainable options, with Osimhen emerging as a leading candidate.

Currently on the books of Galatasaray S.K., the 27-year-old striker is no stranger to Barcelona, having faced Spanish opposition during his time in European competitions. He is highly regarded for his pace, physical presence and consistent goal-scoring record, qualities seen as fitting Barcelona’s evolving tactical needs.

However, a potential move remains far from straightforward. Osimhen’s salary demands could pose a significant hurdle for Barcelona, who continue to operate under strict financial limitations.

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Despite the challenges, the Nigerian international is considered a viable option as Barcelona adopt a more pragmatic approach in the transfer market, balancing ambition with economic realities while seeking to rebuild their attacking line for the future.

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Osimhen Joins Galatasaray Permanently in Record €75m Deal

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Osimhen’s annual earnings: a net salary of €15 million per season, a €1 million loyalty bonus, and €5 million in image rights.

Speculations about the future of Victor Osimhen have been put to rest as theNigerian striker has completed a permanent move to Turkish champions Galatasaray.

He signed a four-year contract in a deal worth €75 million, the club announced on Thursday.

The 26-year-old forward, who was on loan from Napoli last season, becomes the most expensive player ever acquired by a Turkish club.

Galatasaray confirmed the fee in a statement that also revealed Osimhen’s annual earnings: a net salary of €15 million per season, a €1 million loyalty bonus, and €5 million in image rights.

The club, which has qualified for the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League, did not clarify whether the €75 million fee had already been paid in full to Napoli or would be settled in instalments, as reported by local media.

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 However, the Turkish giants disclosed that Napoli will receive 10% of the profit from any future sale of the Nigerian star.

Osimhen’s move marks a dramatic turnaround after a tumultuous 2024 summer at Napoli, where he was sidelined and later sent out on loan.

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Speculations about the future of Victor Osimhen have been put to rest

 His stint at Galatasaray reignited his form, with the striker netting 26 goals in the Turkish Super Lig last season, helping the Istanbul club secure another league title.

Capped 40 times by Nigeria with 26 goals, Osimhen had joined Napoli in 2020 from French side Lille for a fee close to €80 million, then a record for the Serie A club.

At Galatasaray, Osimhen will form part of a formidable attacking trio alongside Argentine star Mauro Icardi, who is expected to return from injury, and new German signing Leroy Sané, recently acquired from Bayern Munich.

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With this blockbuster signing, Galatasaray underlines its ambition to make a serious mark in Europe and dominate domestic football once again.

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