Sports
Napoli offer Osimhen N6.5bn annual salary
Italian champions, Napoli, have offered Victor Osimhen a new two-year contract extension with a salary worth N6.5bn — €6.5m plus €1m in bonuses.
Osimhen, who has two years left on his contract at Napoli, had demanded a salary of €7m annually to extend his current deal with the Italian champions, who are keen to tie him down to a new deal amidst interests from some of Europe’s top clubs.
The new proposed deal, it was gathered, will include a release clause worth £170m for the Nigerian striker.
The 24-year-old steered the Partenopei to their first title in 33 years scoring 26 goals in 32 games.
“Napoli is in advanced talks to extend his (Osimhen) contract until 2027 with an increase in salary to €6.5m plus €1m as bonuses,” Skysports revealed on Monday.
Rudi Garcia, Napoli’s new manager, confirmed that Osimhen would remain at the club ahead of the new season.
“Of course, I have spoken to Osimhen who wants to stay here to make another great season with Napoli,” Garcia said.
“I can assure you that he (OsImhen) wants to stay, he is happy to be with us and still wants to do great things.”
Osimhen scored 26 goals plus five assists in 32 league appearances for Napoli, and was crucial to the Partenopei winning the Serie A title for the first time in 33 years last season.
He also became the first African to claim the prestigious Capocannoniere award, given to the top scorer in Serie A.
Meanwhile, Osimhen’s agent, Roberto Calenda, debunked reports that claimed his client wouldn’t sign a new contract.
Calenda, took to Twitter on Monday to call out a report from Naples-based newspaper Il Mattino as fake news.
“I read in Il Mattino that ‘Calenda has no intention of renewing in the summer and wants to explore all avenues in the market first. Fake news.’”
Osimhen is expected to return to pre-season training on Wednesday.
Sports
EPL: Guardiola reveals Tottenham manager that made title hard to win
Manchester City boss, Pep Guardiola has claimed it is now harder to win the Premier League.
Guardiola was speaking to the media on Friday, ahead of the visit of Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
According to him, Spurs have “always been up there” since Mauricio Pochettino became their manager.
“It [the Premier League] is a more difficult competition to win and I have said many times that every season it is getting better. So more teams involved and every single game is so difficult.
“Ever since Mauricio Pochettino has arrived, I would say Spurs have always been up there, so yes, they are a fantastic team.
“Of course, they have a lot of absences now, but I saw the first 15-20 minutes against Aston Villa and they created a lot of chances, especially in their approach.
“So it is definitely really good for football,” Guardiola said.
Sports
Rivers United’s Odeh makes CAF Confederation Cup Goal of the Week
Rivers United’s Paul Odeh’s goal against Academica Petroleos club do Lobito has been selected among the best of matchday one fixtures in the CAF Confederation Cup.
Odeh scored a fantastic long-range strike in Rivers United’s 3-0 victory at the Godswill Akpabio International, Uyo.
Other goals selected are USM Algiers’ Islam Merili screamer against Al-Hilal SC, Mordern Future’s Ghanam Mohammed’s goal versus Supersports, Sagrada Esperanca’s Simone Lepau’s close-range strike against CO Coyah SC and Zamalek’ Yusuf Obama’s header against Abu Salam completes the list.
The former Nigeria Premier Football League champions will battle Dream SC of Ghana in their matchday two fixture on Sunday.
The match is billed for the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, Kumasi.
Sports
He reminds me of Berbatov – Michael Owen lavishes praise on Arsenal star
Former Real Madrid and Manchester United striker, Michael Owen has heaped praises on Arsenal’s Kai Havertz, comparing him to former Tottenham Hotspur attacker Dimitar Berbatov.
Owen likened Havertz’s touch and ability on the ball to that of Berbatov, who also played for Manchester United during his football career.
This is coming after Arsenal’s recent 6-0 thrashing of RC Lens in the Champions League on Wednesday.
“It is a bit of a conundrum with him, I don’t think he scores enough goals to be a centre-forward, has he got the pace to be a wide man? Maybe ghosts in and plays inside a little bit, there is no doubt about his talent,” Owen said on TNT Sports about Havertz.
“He’s got a lovely touch, a lovely way about him. He reminds me a bit of Berbatov, the way he takes the ball and his lovely touch. There is definitely a brilliant player there.”
Havertz joined Arsenal from Chelsea in the summer transfer window for a reported fee of £65 million.
The German endured a difficult start to life at the Gunners, scoring just one goal in his first 19 appearances for the club.
However, Havertz has seen an upturn in form recently, scoring the match-winner in Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Brentford last weekend.
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