Category: Sports

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Troubled Spurs snatch late draw at Liverpool; Man Utd boosts top-four bid

Troubled Tottenham rescued a 1-1 draw at Liverpool thanks to Richarlison’s late leveller, while Manchester United bolstered their bid to qualify for the Champions League with a 3-1 win against Aston Villa on Sunday.

Igor Tudor’s relegation-haunted side trailed to Dominic Szoboszlai’s first-half free-kick at Anfield.

But Brazil striker Richarlison netted in the 90th minute to spare Tottenham from a sixth successive Premier League defeat.

In grave danger of playing into the second tier for the first time since 1977-78, Tottenham are without a victory in their last 12 league matches — their worst winless run for 91 years.

However, their first point under interim boss Tudor, who had lost his four previous matches in all competitions since replacing the sacked Thomas Frank, offered a glimmer of hope in their desperate fight for survival.

Tottenham arrived on Merseyside in crisis after suffering an embarrassing 5-2 defeat at Atletico Madrid in the Champions League last-16 first leg in midweek.

Tudor had substituted goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky after just 17 minutes after he made a pair of costly mistakes.

He opted against doing the same to Guglielmo Vicario after his weak attempted save allowed Szoboszlai’s free-kick to elude him in the 18th minute.

Tottenham could have crumbled after that, but to their credit they hit back in a spirited second half.

Richarlison ensured they didn’t finish empty-handed when he steered a close-range finish past Alisson Becker after Andrew Robertson and Virgil van Dijk made a hash of dealing with Randal Kolo Muani’s flick from Vicario’s long punt.

With eight games left to save themselves, Tottenham remain in 16th place, one point above both fourth-bottom Nottingham Forest and third-bottom West Ham.

They face a crucial clash with Forest in north London in a week’s time.

Lacklustre Liverpool were booed off at the final whistle after a result that left them in fifth place, likely to be the final Champions League slot, two points behind fourth-placed Villa.

At Old Trafford, United took the lead through Casemiro’s 53rd-minute header before Ross Barkley hauled Villa level in the 64th minute.

Michael Carrick’s side finished strongly, with Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko scoring in the closing stages to seal Carrick’s seventh win in nine games since taking over as interim boss.

Sitting third in the Premier League, United are three points clear of top-four rivals Villa.

United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe this week praised Carrick’s “excellent” work, but stopped short of committing to the former Old Trafford star on a long-term basis.

But Carrick is making a strong case to earn the job on a permanent basis after stabilizing United, who lost at Newcastle last week, following Ruben Amorim’s sacking.

“We looked a good team. It was a big game coming off the defeat. The boys reacted incredibly well,” Carrick said. “It’s a good feeling and something we want to keep getting used to. We are in a good position at the moment.”

Bruno Fernandes now has 16 Premier League assists this term, moving the United captain past David Beckham’s previous club record of 15 in 1999-2000.

He has 100 assists for United in all competitions since signing from Sporting Lisbon in 2020.

“He’s proven over a period of time how impactful he is in the big moments. He’s there all the time, he puts himself forward in training and games,” Carrick said.

Spluttering Villa have lost their last three league games and have just one win in seven top-flight matches, leaving them three points above sixth-placed Chelsea with eight games left in the battle for European places.

Nottingham Forest climbed out of the relegation zone after a 0-0 draw against Fulham at the City Ground.

Still waiting for their first win under Vitor Pereira, fourth-from-bottom Forest, who have had four managers this term, are above third-from-bottom West Ham on goal difference.

Ten-man Leeds held on for a 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace despite Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s missed penalty and a red card for Gabriel Gudmundsson. (JapanToday)

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Mexico prepared to host Iran World Cup games, says president

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Tuesday that her country is prepared to host Iran’s first-round matches at the 2026 World Cup if needed due to the conflict in the Middle East.

Iran’s participation at this summer’s finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico has been in doubt since the war began last month, with President Donald Trump warning that Iranian players’ safety would be at risk if they travelled to the U.S.

Iran’s football federation has opened talks with FIFA about potentially relocating its matches from the United States, though the global governing body has so far maintained that the tournament’s schedule remains unchanged.

Asked directly if Mexico was open to hosting the matches, and if the decision will purely come down to FIFA logistics, Sheinbaum told a press conference: “Yes.”

“Mexico maintains diplomatic relations with every country in the world, therefore we will wait to see what FIFA decides,” she added.

Iran’s place at the tournament was thrown into question after the U.S. and Israel launched a massive offensive against the Islamic Republic, which responded with waves of missiles and drones targeting Israeli territory and American targets across the Middle East.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino initially said that Trump had given assurances that the Iranian team — scheduled to face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles, followed by Egypt in Seattle — would still be welcome.

But the Republican president then triggered uproar last week after stating that Iran’s football team should not travel to the tournament “for their own life and safety”.

Iran hit back at Trump’s comments saying that “no one can exclude Iran’s national team from the World Cup”.

Iran were the second Asian team after Japan to qualify for the World Cup, securing their place almost a year ago as they topped their qualifying group.

On Monday, Iranian soccer chief Mehdi Taj wrote on social media: “When Trump has explicitly stated that he cannot ensure the security of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not travel to America.

“We are currently negotiating with FIFA to hold Iran’s matches in the World Cup in Mexico.”

Iranian soccer authorities “are currently discussing with FIFA whether it is feasible — since they were originally scheduled to go to the United States — to see if they can” move Iran’s games to Mexico, confirmed Sheinbaum. “The matter is under review and we will provide an update in due course.”

When contacted by AFP on the matter, FIFA said it was “looking forward to all participating teams competing as per the match schedule announced on 6 December 2025”.

“FIFA is in regular contact with all participating member associations, including IR Iran, to discuss planning for the FIFA World Cup 2026,” a spokesperson said.

The Iran team’s base camp for the tournament is currently slated to be located in Tucson, Arizona.

Abolfazl Pasandideh, Iran’s ambassador to Mexico, on Monday denounced “the U.S. government’s lack of cooperation regarding visa issuance and the provision of logistical support” for the Iranian delegation ahead of the World Cup, in a statement published on the embassy’s website.

Should Iran not take part in the World Cup, it is not yet clear which country might replace them. (JapanToday)

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PSG, Real Madrid and Arsenal march into Champions League last eight

Holders Paris Saint-Germain, record 15-time winners Real Madrid and Arsenal surged into the quarter-finals of the Champions League on Tuesday, while Sporting produced a brilliant comeback in Portugal to end Bodo/Glimt’s remarkable run.

PSG appear to be coming back into the form which saw them win the Champions League for the first time in their history last season, as the French club crushed Chelsea 3-0 in London to claim a comprehensive 8-2 aggregate victory in their last-16 tie.

Chelsea had been left with a mountain to climb after a late collapse in last week’s first leg, and PSG quickly snuffed out any chance the English club had.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia followed his first-leg double by opening the scoring on six minutes at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea defender Mamadou Sarr misjudging a long ball on his Champions League debut and then being outmuscled by the Georgian who applied the finish.

Bradley Barcola fired in a brilliant second goal from an Achraf Hakimi assist, and the home fans were streaming for the exits when substitute Senny Mayulu swept in PSG’s third on the night just after the hour.

“We clearly dominated, we are very happy to be in the quarter-finals and I think it is well deserved,” PSG coach Luis Enrique told Canal Plus.

PSG’s fourth victory against English opposition in a two-legged knockout tie since the start of last year sets up a last-eight tie against Liverpool or Galatasaray, who meet on Wednesday at Anfield with the Turkish side leading 1-0 from the first leg.

Two-time European champions Chelsea were not the only English club to be eliminated on Tuesday, with Manchester City losing 2-1 at home to Real as they went out 5-1 on aggregate.

Real led 3-0 from the first leg in Spain, where Federico Valverde scored a hat-trick, and their qualification was never in doubt after City’s Bernardo Silva was sent off on 20 minutes for stopping a goalbound Vinicius Junior shot on the line with his arm.

Vinicius converted the penalty, and Pep Guardiola’s side had too much to do, even if Erling Haaland levelled the scores on the night before half-time with his 30th goal this season.

Real replaced Thibaut Courtois with Andriy Lunin in goal at half-time, and the tie was over long before Vinicius scored again in stoppage time to seal the win on the night.

“All of us players know that the good games are coming and when Madrid play in this competition, everything changes,” said Vinicius, as Real knocked City out for the third season running.

Real are almost certain to face Bayern Munich in a heavyweight quarter-final, with the Germans 6-1 up against Atalanta before Wednesday’s return match.

Premier League leaders Arsenal’s dream of a quadruple remains alive after they beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium for a 3-1 aggregate success.

They had needed a late penalty to draw in Germany last week, and finished the tie off in the return with goals either side of half-time from Eberechi Eze and Declan Rice.

Eze broke the deadlock with a long-range rocket late in the first half and Rice’s composed finish killed off Leverkusen.

“We had four or five situations where we should have scored a third but overall we fully deserved to win and be into the quarter-finals,” said Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta.

His team now face Manchester City in the English League Cup final on Sunday, and will play Sporting in the quarter-finals.

The Portuguese champions produced a superb fightback, overturning a 3-0 deficit from last week’s first leg against Bodo/Glimt by beating the Norwegians 5-0 after extra time in Lisbon.

Goncalo Inacio and Pedro Goncalves scored before a Luis Suarez penalty on 78 minutes forced extra time.

Uruguayan full-back Maxi Araujo gave Sporting the lead in the tie for the first time in the 92nd minute, and Rafael Nel made sure of their progress with the fifth right at the end.

Bodo/Glimt’s fantastic run comes to an end as Sporting reach the quarters of Europe’s elite club competition for the first time since 1983. (JapanToday)

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Arsenal stays in control of title race as Dowman become youngest ever Premier League scorer

Arsenal stayed in control of the Premier League title race with a 2-0 win over Everton on Saturday, with 16-year-old Max Dowman’s solo goal in stoppage time making him the competition’s youngest ever scorer.

In a dramatic finish at Emirates Stadium, Viktor Gyokeres scored in the 89th minute before Dowman collected the ball midway in his own half after a corner was cleared, dribbled around two players, and raced clear to tap into an empty net. Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was stranded upfield having gone up for a corner.

It dealt a psychological blow to second-place Manchester City, which headed into the first of two games in hand — at West Ham later Saturday — trailing Arsenal by 10 points.

Dowman, who is still in school, came on in the second half for his third Premier League appearance and also played a part in Gyokeres’ goal.

It was his cross from the right that was missed by Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and struck the midriff of Arsenal substitute Piero Hincapie. The ball bounced across the goalmouth and Gyokeres applied the finishing touch from close range.

“He stays so calm and without fear every time he gets the ball,” Gyokeres said of Dowman. “He takes the right decision most of the time as well and with the goal, he definitely took the right one.”

In a breakthrough season for the English soccer prodigy, Dowman became the second-youngest player — behind Arsenal teammate Ethan Nwaneri — to feature in the Premier League after making his debut against Leeds in August.

In November, he became the youngest player in Champions League history at 15 years, 308 days when he entered as a second-half substitute against Slavia Prague.

Across London, Chelsea lost 1-0 to Newcastle thanks to an 18th-minute goal by Anthony Gordon.

Chelsea stayed in fifth place but could be overtaken by Liverpool, which hosts struggling Tottenham on Sunday.

Burnley is running out of time and hope in the Premier League.

A 0-0 home draw with Bournemouth on Saturday left next-to-last Burnley — one of the many U.S.-owned teams in England’s top division — eight points from safety with just eight games remaining this season and facing an immediate return to the Championship.

Burnley has won just four of its 30 league games.

Sunderland, another promoted team, appears to be safe from relegation but is limping toward the end of the season after a third straight home loss – this time to Brighton 1-0.

The only goal was a bizarre one, with Yankuba Minteh’s mis-hit cross from the byline somehow squeezing in at the near post in the 58th minute at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland hadn’t lost at home until a defeat to Liverpool on Feb. 11. Since then, it has lost to Fulham and now Brighton. (JapanToday)

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Spain Vs Argentina Finalissima Clash cancelled amid political turmoil

In a surprising turn of events, the highly anticipated Finalissima match between EURO 2024 champions Spain and Copa América 2024 winners Argentina has been cancelled due to escalating political tensions in the region.

The match, originally set to take place in Qatar on March 27, was expected to be a thrilling showcase of international football talent.

UEFA initially explored the possibility of hosting the match at Madrid’s iconic Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, proposing a unique arrangement that would allow a 50:50 split of supporters. However, this plan faced rejection from the Argentine Football Association, leading to further discussions about an alternative solution.

The second proposal aimed to divide the Finalissima into two legs, with one match held in Madrid on the scheduled date and the return leg in Buenos Aires during an upcoming international window. Unfortunately, this option was also declined by Argentina, leaving fans disappointed and the football community awaiting further developments.

As both teams prepare for their respective future tournaments, the cancellation serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between sports and global events. While the match may not take place, the spirit of competition remains strong, and both nations look forward to showcasing their talents on the world stage in the coming years. (Leadership)

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Tinubu mourns legendary Super Eagles midfielder, Nwosu

President Bola Tinubu has extended his condolences to the family of Henry Onyemanze Nwosu, a legendary Super Eagles midfielder who passed away on Saturday at the age of 62.

In a statement by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu joined the Nigerian football community in mourning the exceptionally skilled Nwosu, whose football artistry remains the stuff of legends.

The President recalled Nwosu’s brilliance on the field of play as a 17-year-old in the then-Green Eagles squad that won the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations.

President Tinubu acknowledged Nwosu’s over a decade of service to the nation as a member of the national football team, his role in subsequent AFCON tournaments in 1982, 1984, and 1988, and his contributions to sports development in the country.

The President stated that Nigerians will always remember the late playmaker for the pride and joy he brought to the nation and for inspiring many compatriots to greater accomplishments.

President Tinubu prayed for the repose of Nwosu’s soul and comfort for his family. (Leadership)

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Sanwo-Olu mourns Henry Nwosu, describes death as great loss

The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has described the passing of former Green Eagles midfielder and youngest member of the 1980 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) squad, Henry Nwosu, as a great loss to the country.

Nwosu passed away early Saturday morning at the age of 62. The news of his passing was announced by Nigerian football legend Segun Odegbami on his social media platforms.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, in a statement issued on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, mourned the loss of Nwosu and extended his heartfelt condolences to the Nwosu family, the Imo State Government, and the Nigerian Football Federation.

He said: “The death of Henry Nwosu is a painful loss to the country, particularly football lovers, because we lost a patriot, legend, and national icon. He made Nigeria proud by winning the African Nations Cup in 1980 for the country.

“Henry Nwosu served the nation passionately and made the country proud by working tirelessly with other members of the Green Eagles to secure Nigeria’s first continental title on home soil.

“He was the youngest member of the 1980 AFCON squad, widely celebrated for his role in Nigeria’s triumph at the tournament. He was a talented midfielder known for his creativity and technical ability.

“Henry Nwosu was passionate about sports, particularly football. He made positive impacts while playing for the national team and later became a prominent figure in Nigerian domestic football.

“Henry Nwosu will be sorely missed. I pray for eternal peace for the deceased, and that God will grant the family, friends, Imo State Government, and football fans the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.” (Channels)

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DR Congo drop NFF-disputed players for play-offs

The Democratic Republic of Congo have omitted two players highlighted in the Nigeria Football Federation’s complaint to FIFA as they unveiled a 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup intercontinental play-offs, a development that adds fresh intrigue to an eligibility dispute still awaiting a verdict from world football’s governing body, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Head coach Sébastien Desabre released the Leopards’ squad on Wednesday, retaining the core players who guided the team past Nigeria on penalties in the African play-off round while recalling several names absent from the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Captain Chancel Mbemba leads the side alongside established figures such as Cedric Bakambu, Yoane Wissa and Samuel Moutoussamy as DR Congo pursue a second appearance at the World Cup.

However, the announcement is notable for the absence of Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Mario Stroeykens , two of the players Nigeria specifically highlighted in its formal complaint to FIFA over alleged eligibility breaches.

Only Matheu Epolo, the third player mentioned prominently in the Nigerian petition, has been included in Desabre’s squad.

Nigeria lodged the complaint after losing the African play-off tie to DR Congo 4–3 on penalties, arguing that the Congolese federation misled FIFA in securing nationality switches for several overseas-born players.

The petition, made public on December 15, 2025, asked FIFA to investigate the matter and potentially disqualify DR Congo from the qualification process.

The Nigerian federation’s document listed numerous foreign-born players who featured against the Super Eagles, including Lionel Mpasi, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe, Arthur Masuaku, Samuel Moutoussamy, Ngal’ayel Mukau, Noah Sadiki, Nathanael Mbuku and Cedric Bakambu in the starting line-up, as well as substitutes Timothy Fayulu, Matheu Epolo, Joris Kayembe, Edo Kayembe, Steve Kapuadi, Gédéon Kalulu, Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Mario Stroeykens.

In the complaint, released publicly by journalist Osasu Obayiuwana, Nigeria argued that several players obtained clearance to represent DR Congo only days before the decisive play-off match against them, despite having been called up earlier for the fixture.

The document questioned how the Congolese federation could summon players before final approval had been granted by FIFA.

“It should be added for context that at least three of these players with unrenounced Belgian nationality (Michel-Ange Balikwisha, Mario Stroeykens, and Matheu Epolo) received their final clearance to play for DRC between November 11 and 12, 2025, just before the play-off match against Nigeria on November 16, 2025,” the complaint read.

“Notably, Balikwisha played his debut match for DRC in this game against Nigeria.”

The document further suggested that the timeline surrounding the call-ups raised serious concerns about procedural compliance.

“It is most curious, however, that these players had already been called up by DRC on November 1, 2025, to play in the play-offs, approximately eleven days before receiving FIFA clearance and approvals.”

“This raises the question of what gave FECOFA the confidence to take the unusual step of calling up players of a foreign nationality for such crucial play-offs well before securing the necessary FIFA approval for those players.”

“We request a formal investigation into these serious matters.”

Balikwisha had made his debut against Nigeria and converted one of the penalties in the shoot-out that secured DR Congo’s progression, while Stroeykens was unable to earn his first senior cap after sustaining an injury soon after the match.

Epolo, meanwhile, only made his international debut for the Leopards on December 16, 2025, a day after Nigeria’s complaint became public.

Their absence from the new squad, particularly Balikwisha’s omission despite his decisive role in the previous round, inevitably raises questions about whether the Congolese coaching staff are attempting to avoid further scrutiny while the case remains unresolved. (Punch)

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Odegbami tells NFF, NSC to immortalise Onigbinde

Former Super Eagles captain and 1980 Africa Cup of Nations winner, Segun Odegbami, has urged the Nigeria Football Federation and the National Sports Commission to immortalise the late Super Eagles coach, Adegboye Onigbinde, to preserve his legacy in Nigerian football, The PUNCH reports.

Onigbinde, who handled the Nigeria national team twice and also served as a CAF and FIFA instructor, died on Monday, March 9, at the age of 88.

The Modakeke-born coach first led Nigeria between 1982 and 1984, guiding the Green Eagles to a second-place finish at the 1984 AFCON in Ivory Coast. The achievement made him the first Nigerian coach to win an AFCON medal.

He returned in 2002 as the Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Association and led a new-look Super Eagles side to the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea and Japan.

While tributes have continued to pour in for the late tactician, Odegbami believes he deserves a permanent place in the history of Nigerian football.

“He stands out as one of the most successful Nigerians to coach the national team and work in coaching within the country. Nigeria must find a way to immortalise him. The Nigeria Football Federation and the National Sports Commission must ensure that he is immortalised. He deserves it,” Odegbami said during a radio programme, Sports Salsa, on Kennis FM.

“It is painful for all of us. His love for football, his passion for developing the game, and the feeling that he was not fully utilised to transform Nigerian football remain notable. But he has left a legacy that is unmatched. Nigerians should always remember him for his great contributions to our football history.”

Onigbinde also served as Technical Adviser to the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation, where he oversaw the country’s youth teams.

The Nigeria Football Federation described his death as “the exit of a great man who served Nigeria football wholeheartedly and was diligent and devoted to the development of the game.”

For many years, he worked as a technical adviser to the Confederation of African Football and served on several Technical Study Groups for both FIFA and CAF at major international tournaments.

He began his coaching career in the 1960s and rose to national prominence in 1977 when he led Water Corporation FC of Ibadan to the quarter-finals of the African Cup of Champions Clubs. Seven years later, he guided Ibadan giants Shooting Stars to the final of the same competition.

Burial arrangements for the late coach will be announced by his family in the coming days. (Punch)

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Osimhen fires Liverpool second leg warning

Victor Osimhen has warned Liverpool that Galatasaray can “do some damage” at Anfield ahead of the second leg of their UEFA Champions League tie, as the Nigerian striker also attracts transfer interest from Arsenal and Manchester United in a potential €140m deal, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The forward made the comments after Galatasaray secured a 1-0 victory over Liverpool in the first leg at RAMS Park, a result that places the Turkish side in a strong position heading into the return leg in England.

Osimhen praised his teammates for their performance against the Premier League club and expressed confidence that the team could produce another strong display away from home.

“Every time we play here it’s so emotional for us. Aside from that, the victory is important,” he said.

“We know next week is going to be really hard, but I believe in this team and the kind of performance we put in against a very good side like Liverpool. I’m optimistic that we can do some damage there at Anfield.”

The striker acknowledged the challenge awaiting the team in the second leg but insisted Galatasaray would analyse their performance and attempt to improve.

“But like I said earlier, it’s not going to be easy. We will go back, look at our mistakes and try to correct them. I’m proud of the boys tonight,” he added.

Osimhen’s performances this season have further enhanced his reputation as one of Europe’s most sought-after strikers, with the Nigerian contributing 24 goals and assists across competitions.

His form has reportedly drawn strong interest from Premier League clubs ahead of the summer transfer window, with Arsenal and Manchester United among the sides monitoring his situation if he is to be priced away from Galatasaray.

According to SportsBoom, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta sees the Nigerian as a key addition to his attack.

“Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta reportedly views Osimhen as the ‘final piece of the puzzle’ for his frontline,” the report said.

Arsenal are understood to be seeking a reliable goalscorer to strengthen their title ambitions, while Manchester United are also considering reinforcements in attack as part of a wider squad rebuild.

The report added that pressure from former players could influence United’s pursuit of the striker.

“At Manchester United, the pressure from club legends like Rio Ferdinand is pushing the board toward a more aggressive pursuit. The club have attempted to sway the Nigerian international to Old Trafford on several occasions. Chelsea have also been linked with a move,” SportsBoom said.

Any move for the Nigerian forward is expected to command a fee of around €140m, a figure that would require significant financial commitment from potential suitors.

“If Galatasaray decides to cash in, the asking price sits between €120 million and €140 million; a figure that would shatter every record in the Süper Lig,” SportsBoom added.

For now, however, Osimhen’s immediate focus remains on helping Galatasaray complete the job against Liverpool as they attempt to progress further in Europe’s premier club competition. (Punch)