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.

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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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.

 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.

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.

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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The signing of Isaac Saviour effectively rules him out of the Nigerian squad going to East Africa for the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) next month.

Ittihad confirmed on Sunday that Ebuka, 28, has penned a two-year contract following his transfer from Masry.

 The move marks a reunion between Ebuka and Ittihad head coach Ahmed Sami, under whom he previously played at Ceramica Cleopatra.

During their stint together, Ebuka netted three goals and registered one assist in 14 league appearances.

Although Ebuka’s recent spell at Masry yielded just one goal in 12 matches after his January move, Ittihad are banking on his overall experience in the Egyptian topflight to boost their attacking options.

The Nigerian striker has tallied 33 goals and eight assists in 114 league appearances across previous stints with ENPPI, Ceramica Cleopatra, and Masry.

Joining him at the Alexandria-based club is compatriot Isaac Saviour, who featured for Enugu Rangers in the Nigerian Professional Football League last season. Details of Saviour’s contract were not disclosed.

Ittihad’s latest signings are part of a broader summer overhaul. The club recently completed a swap deal with Ceramica Cleopatra that brought in Mohamed Toni and Mohamed Metwally “Kanaria” in exchange for Mohamed El-Maghrabi, while Mahmoud Ajeeb and Nour Alaa also joined as part of the arrangement.

Other arrivals at the club include Abdelrahman Boudy, experienced goalkeeper Mahmoud Abdel-Rahim “Genish,” Ahmed Mahmoud, and Mohamed Sami, as Ittihad look to challenge for a higher finish in the upcoming Egyptian Premier League campaign.

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According to South African sports outlet Unplayable, the three-time CAF Champions League winners are closely monitoring Nwabali, who currently plies his trade with Chippa United in the South African Premier Division.

The 29-year-old has seen his stock rise significantly in recent months, particularly after his standout performances for Nigeria at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) held in Côte d’Ivoire.

Nwabali played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s impressive run to the AFCON final, winning plaudits for his composure, shot-stopping skills, and leadership between the sticks.

His performance against South Africa in the semi-final — where he saved two penalties during the shootout — earned him continental acclaim and cemented his status as one of Africa’s top goalkeepers.

At club level, Nwabali has been equally influential. Last season, he made 26 appearances for Chippa United and currently serves as the team captain. His leadership and consistency have made him a fan favorite and a key figure in the club’s recent campaigns. However, sources suggest that Chippa United are willing to consider a transfer if a credible offer is tabled. Nwabali is currently valued at €650,000 on Transfermarkt, though his market worth may climb given his international pedigree.

Raja Casablanca, who endured a disappointing and trophyless 2024/25 season in the Botola Pro League, are seeking to bolster their squad as they aim to reassert their dominance in Moroccan and African football.

The club is reportedly prioritizing experienced and battle-tested players, with Nwabali fitting that profile.

Founded in 1949, Raja is one of Morocco’s most storied football institutions. In addition to their three CAF Champions League titles (1989, 1997, 1999), the Casablanca-based club boasts multiple domestic titles and a strong continental reputation.

The potential signing of Nwabali is seen as part of a broader plan to restore the club’s competitiveness ahead of next season’s league and continental campaigns.

If the move materializes, it will represent a major step forward in Nwabali’s career, giving him exposure in one of Africa’s top leagues and the opportunity to compete in elite continental tournaments such as the CAF Champions League.

Neither Chippa United nor Raja Casablanca has officially confirmed the transfer discussions, but insiders suggest talks could intensify in the coming weeks as the Moroccan giants push to finalise key additions before the new season kicks off.

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Spanish outlet Marca reported that Wydad were hoping to sign five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo to lead their attack at the Club World Cup, which will be held in the United States and starts next month.

“It was just a friendly talk between Wydad’s president and an agent close to Ronaldo, without going beyond informal discussions,” a source told Reuters.

Ronaldo, 40, is the top scorer in the Saudi Pro League with 24 goals this season.

Wydad, the last African Champions in 2022, will face Manchester City on June 18 before taking on Juventus and Al-Ain in Group G of the Club World Cup.

-Reuters

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The 25-year-old joined the Rossonerri from Villarreal in the summer of 2023 but has never really settled in at Milan as he’s largely been a bit part player at the San Siro.

The AFCON 2023 silver medal winner with Nigeria has played paltry 82 minutes since the new manager, Sergio Conceicao, took over as Milan’s head coach, worsening his story with the seven-time UEFA Champions League winners.

According to Europa Calcio, Chukwueze’s future seems increasingly distant from Milan. The player’s agents have suggested him to Ole Gunnar Solksjaer’s side, Besiktas, who have immediately started contacts to bring him to the Turkish Süper Lig.

The 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup winner was linked with a move to Alex Iwobi’s Fulham in January, but time disparity in the transfer market didn’t allow the move to materialize.

Additionally, Milan’s technical director, Geoffrey Moncada, revealed his side were delighted the Super Eagles winger didn’t make a deadline-day transfer to Fulham.

The former Manchester United boss has given the green light to the deal, as he considers Chukwueze to be a valuable reinforcement in the attacking department.

The Turkish club are currently working on a loan-with-obligation-to-buy proposal, and are hopeful their strategy will convince Milan, who intend on recuperating the fees to secure Chukwueze from Villareal two years ago.

Chukwueze on the other hand, is seriously considering a move to Besiktas as he’s aware that he is not part of Milan’s long-term plans. With few opportunities under Sergio Conceicao, the former Villarreal player could accept the Turkish destination to re-establish himself.

Additionally, one of Chukwueze’s best friends, Victor Osimhen, has had nothing but good things to say about the Turkish Super Lig as he enjoys his loan spell with Galatasaray.

In conclusion, a move away from Milan would be a win-win situation for all parties, allowing the Rossoneri to free up space in the squad and for the player to regain the form which saw the Italian side snap him up initially.

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The once-great team now sits 13th on the log of the Premier League table and the graph tends to slope downward rather than looking upward as the season progresses.

Any thought of European football next season is more of a mirage. Some more signings would potentially have gone a long way to getting them back on track.

Attacking recruits in particular would have been very useful given United’s goalscoring troubles this season. But it is in defence where United chiefs have chosen to strengthen this time around.

They have signed Lecce defender, Patrick Dorgu who significantly is the first signing since Amorim’s arrival. Manchester United have paid £29.2million for his signature and he has signed a contract until 2030.

The Danish left-back was also joined by another young defender Ayden Heaven, who moved in from Premier League rivals, Arsenal.

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Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim insisted there was no need to panic in the final days of the January transfer window, despite his side slipping to another home defeat on Sunday.

Following their 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace, United have now lost seven of their first 13 league home matches this season, their joint-most at this stage of a league campaign, along with 1893-94.

Goals have been hard to come by for United, with only Everton and the bottom three finding the net on fewer occasions in the Premier League.

With one day to go until the January window closes, Amorim said there would be no panic in the transfer market.

“We are trying everything to improve the team without doing (the transfer) mistakes of the past,” Amorim said. “And trying to balance the urgency of the moment, we know all of the aspects of our club in the moment but we are trying everything.

“When the window closes we will see the players, I’m focused on improving the team as a group, we need to win more games and we will try to do that, this season is like that.

“We need small improvements, try to win points, win the momentum, then we had setbacks and we go again.”

Amorim is yet to pick up back-to-back league wins since taking charge in November but believes the performance against Palace did show signs of improvement.

“The performance improved. Not a lot, but I think we played better than the other games, even against Southampton, we played better today,” he added.

“But when you continue to lose, especially at home, you have that feeling it’s nothing, the small improvement of the team. Let’s go again and see the next game.”

• Reuters

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He is believed to be out of favour under Ruben Amorim and, according to the UK publication, Mirror, Rashford has been in talks over an initial loan move to join AC Milan.

The player has also admitted he is ready for a “new challenge.” As a result, Barcelona, according to Spanish news outlet, Sport, have ‘entered the bidding’ for Rashford after sporting director Deco decided a move would be viable.

It is noted that Barcelona would need to ‘generate some salary space’ in order to complete the deal, but those funds could be generated by the departure of Eric Garcia, Ronald Araujo or Ansu Fati.

An emotional Rashford reportedly remarked: “When I leave it’s going to be ‘no hard feelings’. You’re not going to have any negative comments from me about Manchester United. That’s me as a person.

“If I know that a situation is already bad, I’m not going to make it worse. I’ve seen how other players have left in the past and I don’t want to be that person. When I leave, I’ll make a statement and it will be from me.”

According to the  UK outlet, Mirror, Manchester United are keen to bring in some new faces with Ruben Amorim now at the helm but the focus at Old Trafford is likely to centre around exits and the club is willing to listen to offers for every member of the squad as the overhaul begins.

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