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Heerenveen Nigerian forward Chidera Ejuke is linked in a €12 million move to Russian giants CSKA Moscow, claims Leeuwarder Courant.

If the move goes through it will be the third most expensive outgoing transfer for Heerenveen.

The Dutch club’s other big
transfer involved Afonso Alves (17 million) and Miralem Sulejmani (16.25 million).

Heerenveen bought Ejuke in 2019 for just under two million euros from Norwegian Valerenga.

Last season, Ejuke got on the score sheet nine times, provided four assists in 25 league games.

He got his first call up to the Super Eagles by Gernot Rohr in March ahead of the 2021 AFCON qualifiers against Sierra Leone.

However, the qualifiers were postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak.
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Nigeria forward,Victor Osimhen was among the 34 Napoli players subjected to Covid-19 test on Sunday at the San Paolo stadium in Napoli in preparation for the club’s pre-season training which begins today.

The former Lille of France star was made to undergo throat swab and blood test at the club’s stadium and will know the result of the test today before the club’s pre-season training is scheduled to start.

A throat swab culture is a laboratory test that is done to identify germs that may cause infection in the throat.


As many as 34 players will begin today’s preseaon training with gaffer, Gennaro Gattuso leading the team at the Castel di Sangro.

Osimhen spent one season at Lille scoring 18 goals and recording six assists in 38 appearances across all competitions for the Great Danes.


He was Lille’s player of the season and also picked up the Best African Player in Ligue Award.
Napoli have two friendly matches scheduled for Friday, August 28 and Friday, September 4.

Meanwhile,the arrival of Victor Osimhen could prompt Gennaro Gattuso to change the Napoli system to a 4-2-3-1.


According to the Corriere dello Sport, the 4-3-3 would not be suitable, because Dries Mertens is now too old to play entirely on the wing of a trident attack and would struggle with the extra work-load.

Instead, the coach is believed to be planning a 4-2-3-1 system with Mertens, Lorenzo Insigne and Eljif Elmas or Piotr Zielinski in support.

Napoli spent €50m plus €10m in bonuses and some youth team players to sign centre-forward Osimhen from Lille. It made him the most expensive purchase in the club’s history.
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English Championship side, Sheffield Wednesday, are reportedly considering signing former Nigeria U-20 right winger, Korede Adedoyin, a free agent whose talent was honed in the youth team of Premier League side, Everton.

Adedoyin was a member of the Nigeria’s Flying Eagles squad coached by Paul Aigbogun which failed to go reach the quarterfinals of the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland after losing 2-1 to Senegal in the Round of 16.

According to a report by The Star, “The 19-year-old is currently available as a free agent after his exit from Everton at the end of the 2019/20 season, and he fits the ‘young, hungry and dynamic’ profile that Owls boss, Garry Monk, has spoken of in terms of potential targets.”


Adedoyin started with the Everton FC U-18 team in 2017, and also played for their U-23 side untill 2019 when he was loaned to Scottish Premier League side Hamilton Academical . He returned to Everton at the end of the loan stint in January this year, the saw off his contract with the English side in July.


According to The Star, “Adedoyin is thought to be on the lookout for an opportunity to get some regular game time under his belt after leaving the Toffees, and the Owls are one of a number of clubs to have shown an interest”.

The report added: “Having been with Everton since the age of 10, the teenage attacker has a good record at youth level, scoring 24 goals in 47 games for the club’s U18s prior to his exit a couple of months ago, and is being watched by the Nigerian FA as a potential future recruit for the Super Eagles.”
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Nigeria forward Victor Anichebe says he is open to another spell in English football, reports Completesports.com.

Anichebe has not played competitive football in over two years since a brief spell with Chinese side Beijing Enterprise.

The 32-year-old failed to secure a contract following a trial at League One outfit Doncaster Rovers last year.


“I feel hungry to play but only if the right opportunity comes. I am working on a lot of other things right now but if the right opportunity comes then I would definitely play,” Anichebe was quoted by Sky Sports.


“Last year I trained with my friend Darren Moore at Doncaster. It was really good to be in and around [the team atmosphere].

“I have had a few options to go abroad but I feel I want to play in England. I feel like I have unfinished business in England. I would prefer to stay in England for another two years.

“Right now is the fittest I have ever been. We will see if a good opportunity comes and I’ll assess if I actually want to take it and we’ll go from there.”
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Former Nigeria international Victor Moses has expressed his delight following Inter Milan’s qualification for the Europa League final.

Inter qualified for their first Europa League final in 22 years after, thrashing Ukrainian giants Shakhtar Donetsk 5-0 in the semi-final on Monday.

A brace from Lautaro Martinez and Romelu Lukaku and a goal from Danilo D’Ambrosio, saw Inter progress into a first European Cup final since winning the 2010 Champions League final in 2010


And Moses who was introduced for D’Ambrosio wrote on his Twitter handle: “Job done. Into the Final!”

The Nerazzuri will now face five-time winners Sevilla in the final on Friday in Cologne, Germany.

The Spanish side came from a goal down to beat Manchester United 2-1 in Sunday’s semi-final.
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The mayor of Castel di Sangro in Naples, Angelo Caruso, has revealed that the whole city is ready for the arrival of striker, Victor Osimhen at the Italian Serie A club, Napoli.

Osimhen who won the U-17 World Cup with Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets in 2015 recently put pen to paper on a five-year deal at Napoli believed to be worth €50m with a further €20m add-ons.

The Italian Serie A outfit after intense weeks of negotiations officially announced the signing of the Super Eagles striker from French Ligue 1 club-side, LOSC Lille on July 31.


Ahead of the 2020/21 Serie A season which will start on September 19, Caruso, mayor of Castel di Sangro spoke about Osimhen in an interview session with Radio Kiss Kiss .


“There is a lot of curiosity, the expectation is high. There are already many tourists from Campania who ask us questions, people are curious and eager to see a scenario that has never occurred in our territory and in general in the Center-South.

Also Read: Guardiola Replies Nigerian Fans, Confirms Reasons For Champions League Title Drought

“Osimhen? We can’t wait to see him at work. I hope that stadium doors will open for people, for people who dedicate an important part of their life to their favorite team.”
The mayor also talked about Napoli’s pre-season which Osimhen will be a part of: “The friendlies that Napoli will play? We will start with the local team, Castel di Sangro Calcio.

“Then, there will be a regional team, Teramo or Pescara, then we will go strategically on an international level. If the retreat goes beyond 15 days, the friendlies will certainly be about four.

“Otherwise, there will be two or three matches for Napoli but I can tell you for a fact that the expectation is considerable,” the football-loving mayor concluded.

Osimhen scooped a major award for himself after the ever-reliable Super Eagles attacker was voted as Lille’s best player of the 2019/20 Ligue 1 season which wasn’t concluded due to the Coronavirus.

The 21-year-old has been in the form of his life since joining Lille of France from Sporting Charleroi of Belgium last summer, netting 18 goals and making six assists in 38 games across all competitions.

Osimhen has also gone ahead to become Nigeria’s most expensive player ever, beating Alex Iwobi’s record following his summer transfer from Lille to Napoli in the Italian Serie A.

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Leeds United have joined the race to sign Eberechi Eze from Queens Park Rangers, reports Completesports.com.

Eze has attracted the interest of a number of clubs in England following an impressive campaign for QPR in the Sky Bet Championship.

The 22-year-old scored 14 goals and recorded eight assists for QPR last season.


Crystal Palace have failed with a £10m offer, while West Ham United are also understood to be keen on him.


QPR are holding out for £20m and this could price Leeds out of the bidding.

Leeds United want at least four permanent signings to bolster Marcelo Bielsa’s squad for their return to the Premier League.
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Nigeria winger Moses Simon has labelled Cristiano Ronaldo a big inspiration and hopes to emulate the Juventus star.

Ronaldo is noted for his hardwork and dedication both in training and on the field of play.

The Portguese is rated alongside Argentine superstar Lionel Messi as the two best players in the world.
Simon is slowly making his mark in Europe after an extremely successful season on loan with Nantes.


Asked by Tribalfootball about his model in the game, Simon replied: “Cristiano Ronaldo is the player I modelled my game after. I want to keep on working hard and improving like him.”

Simon was named Nantes’ Player of the Season last term.
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Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has heaped plaudits on Leon Balogun following the Nigerian perfect start to life at the club, reports Completesports.com.

Balogun was impressive in the Gers opening game of the season against Aberdeen and followed that up with another superb display in the 3-0 home win against St. Mirren on Sunday.

The centre-back has also been named 15th in the Scottish Premiership Team of the Week for matchday one and two.


“We knew we were getting a top player in Balogun, he is our type and fits our profile and it is important at Ibrox when a team is deep for a defender to be able to sit on the halfway line,”Gerrard told a news conference on Tuesday morning.

“I spoke to Paul Cook about him and he had only good things to say about Leon.”

Balogun linked up with Rangers after ending his stay with Wigan Athletic.
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Odion Ighalo was an unused substitute for Manchester United who laboured to a 1-0 extra-time win over Danish side Copenhagen, in the Europa League quarter-final in Cologne, Germany on Monday, Completesports.com reports.

United dominated throughout, hitting the post three times before Bruno Fernandes’ penalty after 94 minutes secured the last four ticket.

Mason Greenwood thought he had put United in front late on in the first half but his effort – as well as Marcus Rashford’s effort shortly after the restart were both ruled out for offside.


Another fantastic chance then fell to Anthony Martial who powered a curling shot towards goal which Copenhagen goalkeeper Karl-Johan Johnsson spectacularly clawed away.

The eventual stalemate gave way to extra time, with United needing only four minutes thereafter to take the lead after Martial was brought down by Andreas Bjelland, which Fernandes slotted past Johnsson.

It was United’s 21st penalty kick so far in the current campaign.

United will now meet the winner between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Sevilla in the semi-final.

Meanwhile, in the other quarter-final, Victor Moses was in action for Inter Milan who beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-1.
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Odion Ighalo was an unused substitute for Manchester United who laboured to a 1-0 extra-time win over Danish side Copenhagen, in the Europa League quarter-final in Cologne, Germany on Monday, Completesports.com reports.

United dominated throughout, hitting the post three times before Bruno Fernandes’ penalty after 94 minutes secured the last four ticket.

Mason Greenwood thought he had put United in front late on in the first half but his effort – as well as Marcus Rashford’s effort shortly after the restart were both ruled out for offside.


Another fantastic chance then fell to Anthony Martial who powered a curling shot towards goal which Copenhagen goalkeeper Karl-Johan Johnsson spectacularly clawed away.

The eventual stalemate gave way to extra time, with United needing only four minutes thereafter to take the lead after Martial was brought down by Andreas Bjelland, which Fernandes slotted past Johnsson.

It was United’s 21st penalty kick so far in the current campaign.

United will now meet the winner between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Sevilla in the semi-final.

Meanwhile, in the other quarter-final, Victor Moses was in action for Inter Milan who beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-1.

Former Napoli coach, Andrea Agostinelli has insisted that the Serie A giants have made a very good signing in Victor Osimhen while also looking to see the forward’s impact in Italy.

Agostinelli, having seen Osimhen play several times also feels very strongly that the Nigerian will paint the Serie A red with goals following his summer transfer to
Napoli.

The transfer was finally completed on July 31 for €50m in cash, €10m in bonuses plus ownership of goalkeeper, Orestis Karnezis and three youth team players of the Partenopei.


It took longer because Osimhen fired his agent, Jean-Gerard Benoit Czajka after touring Napoli’s facilities, meeting President Aurelio De Laurentiis and coach Gennaro Gattuso.


Agostinelli spoke about the Suprr Eagles attacker on Radio Musica Television while on punditry duties for Saturday’s Champions League match which Napoli lost 3-1 to Barcelona.

Also Read – German Legend Klose: Africa Will Win FIFA World Cup With More Slots

“Victor Osimhen? I have seen him play several times and therefore, I believe I have the right competence to judge him. For me, Napoli made a very good signing,” Agostinelli said.

“The Nigerian is very strong and still has considerable room for improvement. Then, of course, we will have to see his impact in the Italian league.”

The 21-year-old has been in the form of his life since joining Lille from Sporting Charleroi of Belgium last year, netting 18 goals and making six assists in 38 games in all competitions.
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Odion Ighalo will be out to end his goal drought of seven matches when Manchester United take on Copenhagen in Monday’s Europa League quarter-final match at the RheinEnergie Stadium in Cologne, Completesports.com reports.

Ighalo despite scoring five goals and making an assist in 18 appearances across all competitions for the Red Devils has fired blanks in his last seven outings for Man United.

The striker was last on target in June when Man United defeated Norwich City 2-1 after extra time in the FA Cup quarter-finals which took place at Carrow Road.


Ever since then, Ighalo has failed to find the net in five Premier League matches, one outing in the FA Cup and another in the Europa League against LASK Linz last week Wednesday.

The ex-Nigeria international has two goals for the Red Devils in four Europa League games with his first coming in February’s 5-0 thumping of Club Brugge at Old Trafford.

Ighalo qualified for the Champions League for the first time ever in his football career when United beat Leicester City 2-0 in their final match of the 2019/2020 Premier League season.
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Super Falcons striker Asisat Oshoala got one of Barcelona women’s goals in their 6-1 win against French side Montpellier, in Sunday’s friendly game, Completesports.com reports.

Oshoala scored in the 63rd minute to make it 4-0 to Barcelona.

The reigning Africa Women’s Player of the Year got one of Barcelona’s goals in the 3-0 win against Montpellier in last Sunday’s friendly win.


Aitana Bonmati opened scoring for Barcelona in the 19th minute before Lieke Martens doubled the lead on 39 minutes.

An own goal by Montpellier’s Sarah Puntigam made it 3-0 while Alexia Putellas and Leila Ouahabi got Barcelona’s fifth and sixth goals in the 72nd and 89th minutes respectively.

Montpellier pulled a goal back in the 82nd minute to bring score to 5-1.

Oshoala and her Barcelona teammates’ next game is against Atletico Madrid, in the quarter-final of the UEFA Women’s Champions League on August 21.
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Queens Park Rangers have turned down a bid in excess of £12m from Crystal Palace for Eberechi Eze, reports Completesports.com.

Eze scored 14 goals in 46 appearances for QPR in the Sky Bet Championship last season.

West Bromwich Albion, West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur are also interested in the talented midfielder.

QPR had initially hoped to receive £20m for the 22-year-old but is understood that Palace’s bid was significantly lower around £12m plus add-ons.

QPR are holding out for a fee around £16m for Eze, who has been tipped to make Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the European championships which has been postponed until 2021.

Palace are expected to return with an increased bid having monitored the former Millall player for some time.

Eze signed a three-year deal with QPR in 2018 which runs until June 2021.
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Super Eagles hopeful, Cyriel Dessers, has debunked claims he is still interested in playing for Belgium despite already committing his international future to Nigeria.

Dessers was quoted by a media outlet, Het Belang van Limburg, that he is still open to featuring for Belgium.

“One of my best friends is a video analyst of the Red Devils (Belgium), so I sometimes catch up on something, but I have not yet spoken to Roberto Martinez myself.


“I now focus on Genk and make goals, the rest will come naturally. That has always been my motto. At the moment, the national team is not an issue, we will not know until September.


“Maybe I will be summoned somewhere, maybe not.”

But the 25-year-old born to a Belgian father and a Nigerian mother, has described the report as unfounded lies.

“They made a story from nothing. I didn’t even talk with Belgium and then they make a story,” the KRC Genk new signing told AOIFootball.

“I said I hoped for a call (from Nigeria) in September, but that’s not even sure. That’s the coach who decides, It’s not in my hands.

“It’s just the clickbait sites who take things out of context and make juicy titles.”

The former Heracles Almelo striker further stated that the suggestion to play for Belgium was made by Luc Nilis a former Belgian player.

He said Nilis suggested him to Martinez, but he remains committed to making his debut for Nigeria when international matches resume.

Dessers was set to make his Super Eagles debut in March, but the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double header against Sierra Leone was called off due to Covid-19 pandemic.

He has been in impressive form for Genk in their pre-season games, scoring four goals in four games.
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Super Falcons striker Asisat Oshoala scored two goals in Barcelona women’s 3-0 win against Montpellier, in a friendly game in Spain on Sunday, Completesports.com reports.

The game was played at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gampar stadium behind closed doors.

After a goalless first half Oshoala broke the deadlock in the 64th minute and made it 2-0 on 86 minutes.
And two minutes into added time Barcelona got their their goal thanks to Jenni Hermoso.

Barcelona will face Montpellier again in another friendly game in France next week Saturday.

Oshoala and her Barcelona teammates were crowned league champions after the campaign was ended prematurely due to the coronavirus outbreak.

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Inter Milan wing-back Victor Moses has shifted attention to the Europa League following the end of the league campaign, reports Completesports.com.

The Nerazzurri finished in second position in Serie A behind Juventus.

Antonio Conte’s men defeated Atalanta 2-O in their final game of the campaign on Saturday.
“Good 2-0 win, Thanks to all of our amazing fans for your support this season! Moses posted on Instagram. “All focus on the Europa League now,”

Moses provided five assists in 17 league appearances across all competitions for the Black and Blues.

Inter Milan will take on Getafe in the Europa League Round of 16 tie on Wednesday.
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In this interview with Europa Calcio, the elder brother of Victor Osimhen, Andrew, explains the reasons behind the striker’s choice of Napoli as his next career destination and link to Liverpool.

He also speaks about the motive behind the Super Eagles’ striker’s change of agent in the course of negotiating his transfer to the Serie A club.

Andrew, we’re all waiting to see Victor in the blue shirt of Napoli.

I tell you I’m sure he will be a Napoli player. During that two-day visit he was impressed by the city. Either way, the most important thing is that he plays. Victor is a born fighter, he left Africa to go to Germany alone when he was still a kid, before he went to Belgium and France.


During the two days he spent in Naples Victor changed his agent, can you explain what happened?

He was no longer happy with the old agent. D’Avila then did a great job in this deal. Sometimes you have to change the people around you, also considering the importance of this transfer.

There were reports that Liverpool were also interested in Victor, can you confirm this?

I can’t confirm because I don’t know. In times like these we read a lot of rumors.

What were the factors regarding the choice of Napoli?

He was very happy to meet Gennaro Gattuso, he is a coach who follows and cares very much for his players. But also that meeting in Capri with De Laurentiis was very positive and Victor described De Laurentiis as a good person.

What are the best qualities of Victor?

Victor wants to grow and improve in what he does, determined and focused on football. He also wants to always win, when he loses he gets angry.

In January 2017 Victor signed for Wolfsburg, what’s your thought on the move?

First of all, I want to highlight the great work of Chinedu Ogbenna, his coach at the Ultimate Striker. After the World Championship (U-17 World Cup) in Chile in 2015, many European clubs started following Victor. Not only Germans, but also English and Italians, including Inter. Wolfsburg was great, beautiful city and excellent him. I convinced our father to let him move to Wolfsburg. There he played with a great striker like Mario Gomez, and made friends with Luiz Gustavo and Dante.

However in 2018, he moved to Charleroi in Belgium.

He is still very close to Charleroi, he loves that club. He met Felice Mazzù, with whom he improved a lot.

And he eventually joined Lille in France….

Beautiful city and ideal environment for a young person. He also had the maximum support from the squad and the fans.

Speaking of fans, do you know that the Neapolitans are one of the hottest and most passionate?

Of course, he told me just a few days ago. But he is very happy with this and for him it will be just a big motivation.

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Napoli are expected to announce the signing of Victor Osimhen from Lille any time from today, with Italian sources assuring that the Serie A side parted with €50m plus bonuses and a goalkeeper, Orestis Karnezia
, as a makeweight offer.

The €81m figure given by the media in France probably includes the salary from his five-year contract as well, but does not represent the kind of sum Napoli would pay for a 21-year-old forward.

Multiple Italian sources, including Sportitalia transfer expert Alfredo Pedullà and Sky Sport Italia’s Gianluca Di Marzio, all point to the same fee.

The Nigeria international already had his medical in Rome over a week ago, then signed the contracts, but the announcement is being delayed until the final details with his agent could be whittled down.
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This is reportedly due to commissions and the payment schedule rather than any issues with the player or club. An announcement is expected before Napoli’s last match with Sassuolo,

Sporting Director Cristiano Giuntoli announced: “We must finalize the agreement with his new agent. We are talking and we will see what happens.”

Now an official deal is a matter of hours from arriving at Napoli’s doorstep.

Nigerian coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, has voiced his words of commendation to Kelechi Nwakali over his club Huesca’s promotion to the Spanish top flight, LaLiga, at the conclusion of the 2019/2020 Spanish Segunda division campaign, Completesports.com reports.

Amuneke handed Nwakali the captain’s armband as Nigeria’s U17s – the Golden Eaglets, went all the way to win the 2015 FIFA U17 World Cup in Chile. Nwakali emerged as the most Valuable Player, MVP of the tournament. It was Nigeria fifth U-17 World Cup following the previous feats at UAE 2013, South Korea 2007, Japan ’93 and China ’85 victories.

Amuneke, who is the Sporting Director of Egyptian Premier League side, Misr El Mikkasa, also charges the Nigerian youngster to make hard work his watchword ahead the tough LaLiga challenges in the 2020/2021 season.
“I’m happy for him and his club,” starts Amuneke when he spoke with Complete Sports from his base in Egypt on Monday morning.


“He (Nwakali), called me to inform me of his club’s promotion to the Spanish top flight, LaLiga.

“I congratulated him, at least for his efforts in driving his club to the LaLiga. It is important he realises that hard work is the key especially as they campaign in the tough LaLiga.

“I’ve been communicating with them, [Samuel] Chukwueze, calls me regularly. He chats often and I always let him know that discipline and hard work leads to career success,” Amuneke tells Complete Sports.

The former Zamalek of Egypt and FC Barcelona winger whose brace helped Super Eagles scoop the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia at the expense of Chipolopolo of Zambia in a 2-1 triumph, discloses that the potentials of his 2015 U-17 World Conquering players is yet to fully come to fruition.

“When we were preparing for the FIFA tournament in Chile, nobody gave us any slightest chance,” he states.

“We were written off by our own compatriots. They said the team was not good, probably because, those they expected or wanted to be in the team were not there.

“But in life, everything we do had been predetermined by God, in His hands lies the success or otherwise, of our efforts. Once you make honesty and hard work your watchword, success is bound to come.

“Today, everybody is talking about Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze and Kelechi Nwakali. They are the same players that were written off before we went to Chile. They did not only, went, saw and conquered the world in Chile, the rejected players have become the major talking point of our senior national team, Super Eagles.

“Of course, there are still others like Kingsley Michael who is in Italy with Cremonese, a Serie B side on loan from Bologna and Orji Okonkwo who plays for Montreal Impact on loan from Bologna, amongst others.

“Hopefully, they will get the opportunity to blossom on the big stage like others”, Amuneke concludes.
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Lille President Gérard Lopez has opened up to state the reasons the transfer of Victor Osimhen to Napoli has been protracted, telling L’Équipe that the Nigerian will be playing his club football in Naples next season despite the delay in announcing his arrival at the club and offers coming from more clubs.

“The leagues are overlapping. That is posing a problem in terms of writing the contract. Our transfer window is not at all aligned with the others. On top of that, the player decided to change agent bang in the middle of the negotiation. We had to start again at zero. The player made his choice, Napoli. It is advanced, but we are missing some details. It will be announced at the right moment,” Lopez told L’Équipe, revealing that more offers have continued to pour in for the Nigerian.

Lopez added: ”As it is not yet official, we are continuing to receive other offers. I want to keep good relationships with these clubs too. So I am managing their expectations. It is not a linear transfer.

“The French market was open before closing (until 15th August). In Italy, the market is opening in September. So we need a multitude of contracts to cover all eventualities, notably penalties.”

Meanwhile, Osimhen who has been stressed out by the prolonged new contract issues, is already in Paris with his friend and Villarreal winger, Samuel Chukwueze, on holidays, leaving his agent William D’Avila to tidy up the contract with Napoli and Lille chiefs.

Osimhen scored 13 goals in 27 Ligue 1 games for the modest French side, and 18 in all completions before the Covid-19 pandemic forced the in recess and the eventual cancellation.
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The Nigerian duo of Isaac Success and Tom Dele-Bashiru and rheir team-mates facing the huge possibility of getting a pay cut at Watford who are deep in relegation waters, Completesports.com reports.

Watford face a damaging financial headache if they are relegated as a number of their stars have their salaries ring-fenced, according to a report by Sportsmail.

The majority of players at Vicarage Road are contractually obliged to take pay cuts of up to 50 per cent if Watford are relegated to the Championship this week.


But a number of their biggest earners are not bound by those deals. The prospect of players continuing to receive Premier League money while playing in the second tier would become a major strain on the club’s finances.

Read Also: Ighalo Seeks 1st Goal In 24 Straight EPL Games, 4th Against West Ham


It would almost certainly mean Watford looking to sell their highest earners, although, parachute payments could make it easier to sustain the existing wage bill in the short term.

The Hornets look destined for relegation as they were pounded 4-0 by Manchester City at Vicarage Road on Tuesday while they will meet Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday to finish off the season.

Success missed Watford’s Premier League loss to Man City as a result of a long-term injury while compatriot, Dele-Bashiru failed to make the match-day squad.

The former has made five league appearances this season while the latter is yet to make his EPL debut for the club which is still close to the relegation spot.
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Odion Ighalo will be looking to score his first goal in 24 English Premier League games when Manchester United play host to West Ham United at the Old Trafford tonight (Wednesday), Completesports.com reports.

The retired Nigeria international is yet to get his name on the score-sheet in nine EPL games for the Red Devils despite scoring five goals and making an assist in 15 matches overall.

In fact, Ighalo’s last goal in the English top-flight was way back in the 2016/17 season when his former club, Watford beat West Ham 4-2 at the London Stadium when he also had an assist.
After scoring in the win over the Hammers, though, Ighalo embarked on a goal drought that spanned 14 EPL matches with the Hornets before joining Chinese Super League side, Shanghai Shenhua.


Add that to his current goal drought of nine EPL appearances for Man United and that gives a total number of 23 consecutive English top-flight games that the 31-year-old has failed to find target.

Remarkably, though, Ighalo has so far struck the back of the net on three occasions in just two matches against West Ham and United could count on his luck when they meet the London-based Hammers.

The Red Devils will be aiming to get back to winning ways when the Hammers arrive at Old Trafford on Wednesday after crashing out of the FA Cup in the hands of Chelsea over the weekend.

Ighalo, meanwhile, has impressed in a backup striker role for United, scoring five goals in four starts while proving himself as a useful target man and extra option in the final third.
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FK Tirana manager Ndubuisi Egbo is delighted to make history with the Albanian Superliga club, reports Completesports.com.

Egbo on Sunday steered Tirana to their 25th Superliga title, their first in 11 years, after second-place Kukesi were beaten 1-0 at Vllaznia.

He is the first black and African coach to win a major European league, as well as the first African to qualify a team for the UEFA Champions League.


Tirana will also take on Teuta in the Albania Cup final on August 2.

“When I left the club (Tirana) and they saw what I was doing with other teams in the course of my goalkeeping coaching career, i was invited also to come because they know that I have the mentality, character, personality and philosophy that the team need,”Egbo stated while answering questions on popular Nigeria Sports Whatsapp forum NSM.

” I was given the opportunity from the goalkeeping coach to the assistant coach before they asked me to take over as the head coach.

““When you work in a certain company or organization you need to do your optimum best. Be a man of good character and good behaviour to leave your footstep on a sand of time. This is exactly what I did when I played for the team.”

Egbo was appointed Tirana manager in December 2019.
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Joe Aribo insists he always feel the same pressure to win when playing for Nigeria as he does for Scottish Premiership club Glasgow Rangers, reports Completesports.com.

Aribo, 23, has scored twice in four appearances for the Super Eagles.

The Nigeria international linked up with Rangers last summer, from English club Charlton Athletic and has settled in well at the side.

The midfielder stressed as with Rangers, he also has expectations, to live up with his national team.

Aribo admitted that both his nation and club are always expected to win and no other outcome is ever acceptable.

He claimed that winning football matches are the standard at Ibrox and for Nigeria on international stage, as he insisted he does not feel any different representing his country than he does when he plays for Rangers.

“I would say playing in front of the big crowds , and we have got 50,000 over at Rangers, so it’s like no difference and there’s an expectation at Rangers to win, where also that’s like that in Nigeria, expected to win,” Aribo told Rangers TV.
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Former Arsenal manager Unai Emery is set to become the coach of Samuel Chukwueze at LaLiga club Villareal, sources have confirmed to ESPN.

Emery has been in talks with the Yellow Submarine for several months.

An announcement is imminent in the next few days and Emery is expected to sign a three-year contract.
The 48-year-old has been out of work since he was sacked by Arsenal in November 2019 after 18 months in charge.
He has considered a number of options since then, and held discussions about a return to the Premier League as well as a move to Italy’s Serie A, before deciding on a return to Spain.

Villarreal finished fifth in La Liga, qualifying for the Europa League, and ended the season with a 4-0 win over Eibar on Sunday.

They have impressed under coach Javi Calleja since competition resumed in June but at that point negotiations with Emery were already at an advanced stage.

ESPN learnt aside Villarreal, Real Betis were in contact with Emery in recent months before they appointed Manuel Pellegrini.

Villarreal have a reputation for being well-run and punching above their weight, and Emery believes they offer the opportunity to build a long-term project with aspirations of regular European football.
The location, close to the city of Valencia, also suits him for family reasons.

Emery has a track record of success in Spanish football, establishing a reputation at Almeria before taking charge of Valencia in 2008 and guiding them to three consecutive third-placed finishes.

A brief spell at Spartak Moscow was followed by a successful three seasons at Sevilla, winning the Europa League in 2014, 2015 and 2016.

His two years in charge of Paris Saint-Germain were mixed — winning Ligue 1 in 2018 but failing to make the expected progress in the Champions League — before disappointing at Arsenal.

A late-season collapse in 2018-19 saw the Gunners finish outside the top four and be beaten 4-1 by Chelsea in the Europa League final, and Emery was sacked in November after a run of seven games without a win.

Emery will have to rebuild the Villarreal team after two key dressing room figures confirmed their departures this week.
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Odion Ighalo was in action but could not stop his side from losing as Chelsea beat Manchester United 3-1 in Sunday’s semi-final at Wembley stadium, Completesports.com reports.

Chelsea have now eliminated United from the FA Cup for a sixth time (including three of the last four seasons) – only Arsenal (7) have knocked the Red Devils out of the competition on more occasions.
Also, Chelsea are the first side to beat United since Burnley in the Premier League back in January, ending United’s 19 game unbeaten run in all competitions.

Chelsea found the breakthrough in the 10th minutes of first half added time thanks to Olivier Giroud who poked home Cesar Azpilicuerta’s cross from range.

Prior to Giroud’s goal Bailly was stretchered off due to a head collision.

Chelsea doubled their lead within a minute of the restart after Brandon Williams carelessly conceded possession deep inside his own half which Mason Mount latched onto and fired a low shot which David de Gea should have done better with.

With 16 minutes remaining Chelsea made it 3-0 when Harry Maguire’s touch under pressure from Antonio Rudiger on a Marcos Alonso cross diverted the ball past De Gea at the near post.
United scored in the 86th minute through Bruno Fernandes from the penalty spot after Anthony Martial was fouled inside the 18-yard box.

Chelsea have now reached their 14th FA Cup final, only Arsenal (21 including 2019-20) and Manchester United (20) have made the final on more occasions than the Blues.

They will meet Arsenal in the final for a third time with the Gunners winning each of the previous two (2002 and 2017).
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Nigeria international, Kelechi Nwakali, is already looking forward to playing in the Laliga Santander next season, urging his teammates at SD Huesca to remain focused as the race gets keener.

Nwakali is still determined to help Huesca secure promotion at the end of the campaign despite their slim 1-0 defeat his club suffered away to Racing Santander on Saturday

The former Arsenal youth player was a 71st-minute substitute for Pedro Mosquera, but could not rescue them as Huesca fell to Racing Santander at the Estadio El Sardinero.


Despite the loss, the 22-year-old wants Huesca to shift all of their concentration on to their next two games which will make or mar their entire 2019/20 campaign.

Huesca is currently second on 64 points in the 22-team Laliga Smartbank table, five points behind leaders, Cadiz, who are on 69 points. The first and second-placed teams at the end of the campaign gain direct promotion to the Laliga Santander while the third to the sixth-placed teams will go into playoffs for the third promotion spot.

Nwakali took to the Social Media to motivate his teammates, saying that they can do it.

“Two games to LaLiga, eyes on the price, come on Huesca,” He posted on Instagram.

The attacking midfielder since joining the club from Arsenal last year September has made only three Segunda Liga appearances, clocking 56 minutes without a goal or assist.
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Nigeria forward Victor Osimhen is ready to join Serie A club Napoli, reports Completesports.com.

The 21-year-old visited Napoli’s training facilities, plus head coach Gennaro Gattuso and president Aurelio De Laurentiis two weeks ago.

Osimhen was however not too keen on linking up with the Partenopei due to the racism issue in Italy.

The former VFL Wolfsburg striker spoke with Senegal forward Kalidou Koulibaly who reassured him there is no racism issue in Italy.

According to multiple reports, Napoli director Cristiano Guintoli met Lille president Gerard Lopez and Osimhen’s intermediaries for more face-to-face negotiations on Monday.

He hopes to sweep aside the remaining doubts and convince Osimhen that this is the best step in his career.

The cost of the transfer will be in the region of €50m plus Adam Ounas, which will bring the total up to €81m.

Osimhen scored 18 goals and recorded six assists in 38 appearances across all competitions for Lille in the 2019/20 season.
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Nigerian striker Odion Ighalo will be gunning for his 10th Premier League appearance for Manchester United when they file out against Southampton at the Old Trafford tonight, Completesports.com reports.

Ighalo has previously featured in nine Premier League games for the Red Devils since arriving Old Trafford on the last of the January transfer window on loan from Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua.

The former Super Eagles forward had scored five goals in Cup games for Man United, but he is yet to start or score in an EPL game for the Devils with the manager, OK Gunnar Solskjaer mostly using him as a late substitute in the Premier League.
Ighalo has found himself down the pecking order, in the striker’s position with Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and new sensation Mason Greenwood the preferred starters in Premier League games.

Ighalo has been involved in the last 14 matches played by United in all competition but is yet to score in nine EPL appearances despite scoring five goals and making one assist.
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Super Eagles playmaker, Alex Iwobi has seen his market value drop by as much as €6.5m and that is €32m to €25.5m, according to transfermarkt.com which officially rates every player.

The Nigeria international is a supremely talented player but has failed to show the world what he has inside his locker and ever since joining Everton last summer, he has failed to shine.

Apart from a strong display agaínst a Norwich City side which is now relegated, the former Arsenal attacker has been a reliable source of energy and creativity since the season restarted.
In his first season at Goodison Park, underwhelming and uninspiring performances from Iwobi has cast major doubts on the reason the club hierarchy paid as much as £34 million for his service.
In fact, there is a very serious argument that the Super Eagles forward needs to be dropped 25 out of the team as soon as possible and replaced by a much more competent and reliable winger.

Iwobi has netted once in 24 EPL games while his goal drought in the competition extended to 22 matches. Ironically, his only EPL goal this season was in a 3-2 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers last August.

The Nigerian players whose market values dropped significantly are Ahmed Musa, Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi and Henry 0nyekuru by €10m, €9m, €7.5m and €5m respectively, according to Transfermarkt.

Some other Super Eagles stars whose valuations dropped are Lille striker, Victor Osimhen, Villareal forward, Samuel Chukwueze and Torino defenter, Ola Aina by an estimate of €3m respectively.
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