Lukaku, 31, scored 13 goals across 32 Serie A appearances last season and also found the back of the net seven times in the Europa League.
Sports
Napoli’s Osimhen set to join PSG in N176bn last-minute deal
Napoli’s Osimhen set to join PSG in N176bn last-minute deal
Barring any last minute developments, striker Victor Osimhen eagerly awaited departure from Napoli to PSG after the French giants reportedly offered a deal of £84m (about N176 billion) to sign the ace Nigeria International.
Various Italian news outlets have claimed this week that both Napoli are working hard to meet their transfer target with words rife that new coach Antonio Conte is more disposed to having a reunion with Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku.
With a rash of English club unwilling to meet Napoli’s staggering release cause of £109m (about N229 billion) for Osimhen, PSG reportedly asked for a discount while offering further exchange of players in the deal.
Meanwhile, Italian outlet SPORT Mediaset as per Daily Mail , claimed the deal is ‘near a turning point’ with the Nigerian’s agent Roberto Calenda having ‘flown to Paris to speak directly with PSG.’
The outlet adds that his trip to the French capital has ‘yielded very positive results’ with the French club and could be a blow for Chelsea and Arsenal.
READ ALSO:
- Varsity students in Kogi vacate hostel over bandits, kidnappers attack
- Police arrest four gunrunners in Delta
- Petrol price rose to N750.17/litre in June – NBS
The report added: “After the market summit, the French club has decided to close the deal, satisfying both Napoli and the player.”
Despite that Napoli owner, Aurelio De Laurentiis had reportedly placed a price tag of around £109million on the Nigerian star but PSG’s lower offer is ‘still capable of unblocking the deal.’
Osimhen had signed a contract extension to stay at Napoli until 2026 back in 2023, extending his stay at the Serie A side by another season.
He has enjoyed a fruitful spell in Naples, since arriving back in 2020 from Lille.
Across 133 appearances for the club in all competitions he has scored a whopping 76 goals, with Osimhen helping Napoli clinch the league title during the 2022-23 season, having netted 26 goals during the season.
De Laurentiis, meanwhile, is keen to finalise a deal for Osimhen ‘as soon as possible’, according to SPORT Mediaset, so that Napoli can free up funds to swoop in for Lukaku.
The Chelsea striker, who has been on loan at Roma during the 2023-24 campaign, is available for a fee between £21m-£25m (€25m-€30m).
Sports
Ademola Lookman’s masterclass seals win for Atalanta against Fiorentina
Ademola Lookman’s masterclass seals win for Atalanta against Fiorentina
Nigerian international Ademola Lookman was the star of the show on Sunday, delivering a match-winning performance as Atalanta secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Fiorentina in an explosive Serie A encounter at the Gewiss Stadium.
Lookman not only scored the decisive goal but also provided a crucial assist that helped Atalanta draw level earlier in the match.
Fiorentina took the lead early in the game, but Lookman’s magic inspired Atalanta’s comeback.
The visitors opened the scoring in the 15th minute when Lucas Martinez Quarta capitalized on a rebound, rifling the ball into the back of the net from close range.
Atalanta, however, responded quickly. In the 21st minute, Lookman sent a superb cross into the box, and Mateo Retegui connected with a powerful header that left Fiorentina goalkeeper David de Gea with no chance, leveling the score at 1-1.
READ ALSO:
- Deadly floods hit Central, Eastern Europe
- Why Lagos govt sealed Cubana Chief priest’s food outlet – Commissioner
- Dangote sells petrol N898/litre to NNPC, motorists buy N855 at filling stations
Fiorentina regained the lead in the 32nd minute when Moise Kean tapped home after Robin Gosens headed the ball across the goal. Moments later, Kean came close to adding a third but saw his effort hit the post.
Atalanta fought back once again, and just before halftime, Charles De Ketelaere’s deft header from an Ederson free kick made it 2-2.
The momentum had shifted, and it didn’t take long for Lookman to showcase his individual brilliance. In first-half stoppage time, he embarked on a solo run, weaving through the Fiorentina defence before slotting the ball into the bottom left corner to give Atalanta a 3-2 lead.
Lookman nearly extended his tally in the second half, coming close to scoring on several occasions, including a narrow miss in the 49th minute.
Despite Fiorentina’s pressure, Atalanta held on for a crucial victory, with goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi also making a number of key saves to secure the win.
Ademola Lookman’s masterclass seals win for Atalanta against Fiorentina
Sports
AfroBasket: Junior D’Tigress fall to record champions in final
AfroBasket: Junior D’Tigress fall to record champions in final
The U-18 national women’s basketball team, the Junior D’Tigress, failed to win the FIBA U18 Women’s AfroBasket 2024 final on Saturday.
The team lost 56-76 to Mali that clinched a record ninth title.
A report by Premium Times notes that despite a strong start with a 5-0 run, the Nigerians struggled to keep up with the dominant Malian side.
Mali won all four quarters, taking the first 11-8, the second 18-15, the third 24-19, and the fourth quarter with a commanding 23-14.
The Malians excelled in the paint, outscoring Nigeria 30-16, and capitalised on fast breaks, adding 15 points. Nigeria’s bench was more productive, contributing 24 points compared to Mali’s 12.
Mali’s 17-year-old Oummou Koumare was named FIBA U18 Women’s AfroBasket’s Most Valuable Player.
Nigerian guard Idubamo Beggi earned a spot in the All-Star team of the tournament.
She scored 23 points in the opening loss to Egypt and the semifinal victory over Uganda, although the Malians held her to 14 points in the final.
Beggi also contributed 32 assists and 17 rebounds throughout the tournament in South Africa.
Sports
Haaland denied hat-trick history in Man City 2-1 victory
Haaland denied hat-trick history in Man City 2-1 victory
Erling Haaland’s double sent Manchester City three points clear at the top of the Premier League in a 2-1 win over Brentford.
City took full advantage of Liverpool’s defeat to move clear at the top by stretching their 100 per cent record to four games despite a disastrous start.
However, Haaland’s form at the start of the season remains unstoppable, even if the Norwegian just missed out on a record third consecutive hat-trick in the Premier League.
READ ALSO:
- Recruitment of next phase of federal fire service personnel begins
- Court stops Emir Bayero from renovating Nasarawa palace
- Edo election: Atiku storms campaign, warns APC, INEC
The 24-year-old’s powerful deflected effort brought City level before he showed a combination of strength and skill to shrug off Ethan Pinnock and dink the ball over the onrushing Mark Flekken.
Only the post denied Haaland another hat-trick after half-time but he now has a Premier League record nine goals in the first four games of the season.
“He’s just an absolute machine in front of goal and I can’t speak highly enough of him,” said City’s Jack Grealish of Haaland, who had been doubtful due to the death this week of a close family friend.
“It does speak volumes about him as a person and his mental strength.”
Haaland denied hat-trick history in Man City 2-1 victory
-
metro1 day ago
FG begins free CNG conversion in three Ogun centres
-
Politics3 days ago
I’ve no apologies threatening to destabilise PDP states, says Wike
-
Business1 day ago
Petrol: Dangote pump price emerges as NNPC trucks begin loading
-
Business2 days ago
100 NNPC trucks arrive at Dangote Refinery to lift petrol, 200 more expected (Photos)
-
Business3 days ago
Updated: Dangote refinery to begin petrol supply Sunday, signs agreement with NNPCL
-
News1 day ago
Dangote fuel supply forces Scotland refinery to announce shutdown date
-
metro2 days ago
Men beware – Lack of sex can make your wife miserable, angry
-
Education3 days ago
Lagos govt raises boarding fee to N100,000/term after parents have paid N35,000