A potential move away from Napoli seems increasingly likely for Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen as the end of the season approaches. The 25-year-old has been linked with a move to the Premier League following his standout campaign with Napoli last season....CONTINUE READING

Osimhen’s 25 Serie A goals played a pivotal role in guiding the Naples-based club to their first Scudetto title in 33 years, earning him the prestigious Capocannoniere Award and making him the first African player to achieve this feat.

However, some of the circumstances surrounding his transfer are not widely known to ordinary fans.

According to Giandomenico Costi, an assistant to Napoli’s former sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli, Osimhen was reportedly confined to a hotel room for three days to prevent incoming Liverpool CEO Michael Edwards from signing him.

Costi described the signing of Osimhen as Giuntoli’s greatest achievement, revealing that despite interest from Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp, Giuntoli convinced Osimhen to accept Napoli during the three-day hotel stay.

“The signing of Osimhen is Giuntoli’s biggest masterpiece”, he told Italian outlet Tuttosport.

“He [Osimhen] was locked in a hotel for three days. Giuntoli knew Liverpool were interested, and Jurgen Klopp had made his move, but Cristiano spoke to Osimhen in the hotel for three days until he convinced him to accept Napoli”.

Despite a season marred by injuries, the reigning African Player of the Year has managed to score 15 goals in 23 appearances in the current Serie A campaign for Napoli.

Recent reports suggest that Osimhen’s dream is to play in the Premier League, with Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United reportedly interested in his signature.

With Edwards set to take over the Reds, Liverpool is said to have renewed their interest in the former Lille striker.

The club sees Osimhen as a solution to their goal-scoring woes, with the Napoli talisman being sought to address the team’s deficiencies in front of goal, which have become evident in recent matches.

The Premier League are yet to announce a date for Manchester City’s hearing over the 115 charges brought against them which the club firmly denies. As speculation builds in anticipation for the Premier League’s decision on Manchester City’s 115 charges, a theory has emerged to suggest the top flight will not back down....CONTINUE READING

Stefan Borson, previously a financial advisor for the club, sees therefraining from ‘unwinding’ these numerous charges against the team as the hearing nears.have been accused of breaching(FFP) rules between 2009 and 2018 with a hefty 115 charges lodged against them in February 2023.

City, however, have adamantly denied any such accusations. Since the declaration from the Premier League, both Nottingham Forest and Everton have found themselves in hot water having been charged, found guilty and consequently docked points over FFP breaches.

Still, it remains uncertain when it will be time forto face their music. Premier League boss, Richard Masters, attributes the delay in City’s hearing to the complexity and historical aspect of the alleged offences.

Despite failing to reveal a concrete date, he has recently given notice about the hearing commencing ‘in the near future’. While the football world is on edge for the verdict, ex-Crystal Palace ownerand Borson have speculated on the decision. “I have always maintained that there will be a settlement, not because I want one, but because it is a lesser of two evils,” contended Jordan on talkSPORT

.

He elaborates: “Because everyone is in an invidious position. The Premier League are damned if they do and damned if they don’t.

“If they bring this action and are successful against Man City, they will just discredit their own Premier League and if they don’t…” “The position you have got is for the Premier League to reverse at this stage..” Borson concluded.

“I wrote a piece for the Mail of Sunday which really urged the parties to find a way to settle what was going to be a very difficult situation to unwind. I think they have missed that window now and I think it is very hard for the Premier League to unwind it.

“It may be in the interests of the Premier League to take it to the independent commission and lose. To actually try and unwind it at this stage is going to be very difficult for the board of the Premier League.”

Nobody is certain what will happen if City are found guilty of the charges brought against them. Many have argued that it could result in a record-breaking points deduction or immediate relegation from the Premier League.

The recent statement made by Emmanuel Amuneke on why he wasn’t picked as the coach of the senior national team of Nigeria by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has drawn a reaction from the football body....CONTINUE READING

Amuneke was the favourite for the Super Eagles job alongside Finidi George, but the NFF settled for the latter and it drew a response from Amuneke in an interview with the online edition of Nigerian publication Punch.

He alleged that he was schemed out of the job not because of competence, rather due to other issues which he cited as problems with some officials in the setup of the NFF. He also fired at some of the things that were said about him in the build up to the naming of Finidi as coach.

“All those allegations made in the media online because of the Eagles job are obviously not true, but those who recommended candidates for the job know I will not be easily bullied. I know there is still bad blood with these officials, but its fine”, he said.

Responding to the 53 year old, a member of the Technical Committee who was part of the selection process said Amuneke knows why he wasn’t picked as the coach of the team.

” Beyond everything he is well aware that Finidi was picked because of continuity judging by the fact that he was a part of the former technical setup. We fact checked all that was said about Amuneke and most were true. Goggle and see for yourself”, he said.

” For instance, there is a story about fighting with the agent of Kelechi Iheanacho when he was the assistant coach of the U17 team in 2013. He even slapped him over the boy’s transfer, he admitted it and it’s online. Another case involving the agent of Victor Osimhen and a few others is there.

” Some board members feel he played a part in derailing the team’s qualification for the last world cup by using the former minister to work his way as an assistant to Austine Eguavoen. They haven’t forgiven him. I believe someone told him all of these so he should get a job and work his way back up. His last successful job was in 2013 and we are in 2024.

” Remember how players of the U20 team which he handled went on strike on the eve of a key game against Sudan in Lagos over unpaid bonuses. A lot of people haven’t forgotten about his past which isn’t favourable for his return now”.