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Napoli Coach Spalleti Begins Special Drills With Osimhen On First Touch And Shooting Technique

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The major highlight of the training session of Napoli this morning was the individual drill coach of Napoli Luciano Spalleti had with Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen.

After the morning session this morning, the coach took out time alongside his assistant Domenichini to work on the 21 year old with drills aimed at working on his first touch and shooting techniques.

According to Corriere dello Sport , the coach who took over from Gattuso in the summer is keen on improving the fundamentals of the record signing ahead of the start of the season.

Osimhen was made to control the ball with his right and hit with his left without letting it bounce. A drill he repeated severally alternating his foot as the drill which lasted for half an hour intensifies.

Spalleti believes in the talent of Osimhen and he is keen on helping him work on certain areas in his game that will help him surpass last season tally of ten goals in the Serie A next season.

Pablo Sarabia – The Main Real Reason Why Unai Emery Want Samuel Chukwueze Out Of Villarreal

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It’s no more news that Villarreal are open to letting Nigerian winger Samuel Chukwueze leave the club before the end of the current summer transfer window on the 31st of August.

The decision to cash in on Chukwueze first of all is hinge on the fact that he has two years left to run on his deal and with no talks yet on an extension, the club want to make a deal now rather than wait till he has a year to run on his deal.

Coach of the team Unai Emery have also been told that he will be only to sign players only if he manages to generate funds by the sale of players and Chukwueze for now looks the most appealing.

Emery want to bring in Pablo Sarabia from PSG as he believe he will give him more options considering he can play through the middle or on the right like Chukwueze.

However any deal for Chukwueze looks complicated for now as he is still recuperating from the injury he picked up last season in the Europa League semi final clash against Arsenal.

He has been offered to Lille, Marseille and recently linked to Everton but in the event that the team fail to what they think is his valuation, they will push to extend his deal by at least a year to keep their hope of maximizing profit from his sale alive.

NFF President Pinnick Accused Of Using Force On Watford New Boy Dapo To Dump Scotland For Nigeria

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The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Amaju Pinnick has been accused of using underhand tactics to coerce Watfords new signing Dapo Mebude into dumping Scotland for Nigeria .

Dapo who is eligible for Nigeria at senior level is a strong part of the U19 team of Scotland since 2018 with four goals from 11 appearances to his name after his rapid rise from the U17 where he had one goal from six appearances.

Rated as one of the surest teen prospect in Scottish football, the 19 year old recently joined newly promoted English Premier League side Watford and he got off to a flier with a goal in his first game for the club in pre season.

His move to Watford was celebrated by the Nigerian press, so much that the president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Amaju Pinnick had to take a picture with him and the other Nigerians at the club.

That picture didn’t go down well with the press in Scotland and they are accusing Pinnick of using ambush methods to persuade the forward into playing for Nigeria.

Per the reports, Pinnick was said to have classified him as a potential international for Nigeria without respecting the fact that he is presently a core member of the Scottish youth set up.

The termed it as disrespect and also a tactics by Pinnick to turn the head of the teenager into having a change of mind into playing for Nigeria.

Revealed- West Ham Threaten To Pull Plug On Plans To Sign Onuachu, Unhappy With Genk’s Valuation

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English Premier League side West Ham United has told the representatives of Nigerian forward Paul Onuachu that they won’t be arm twisted into paying over the odds for the 26 year old.

Genk are holding firm in their valuation of the Nigerian who scored 35 goals last season as they are insisting on a fee that could potentially rise to €30m, although they will settle for €25m under with special clause.

West Ham held talks with his agent and communicated the amount they will be willing to pay for the lanky forward and its in excess of €15m, €10m less than what Genk will likely settle for but they believe it’s the true valuation of the player.

Preliminary talks have taken place and both parties are yet to reach a compromise and that has led to West Ham threatening to switch to other targets if a deal can’t be reached by the first week of next month.

“ It’s a mess right now because Onuachu want to leave but Genk’s asking price is scaring away suitors. Even the much talked about West Ham deal is in jeopardy after initial talks. He is 26 and clubs expect Genk to be modest in their demands but that is not the case at the moment”, a source privy to the deal told OwnGoalNigeria.com.

Union Berlin Manager – Why We Paid Record Transfer Fee To Sign Taiwo Awoniyi From Liverpool

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The Managing Director of German side Union Berlin Oliver Ruhnert has explained the logic behind their decision to part way with the sum of €6.5m to sign Taiwo Awoniyi from Liverpool.

Awoniyi spent last season on loan at the club and scored five goals in 22 Bundesliga games before injury cut short his fantastic run in the team but he has already made his mark.

Explaining the decision to sign him permanently, Ruhnert told the official website of the club that the robust nature of his play and unconditional will to learn proved decisive in their decision to pay the record fee.

“We got to know and appreciate Taiwo last season. His robustness, his enthusiasm and his unconditional will to learn and develop further were the decisive factors for us to work towards this transfer with all our might. The fact that we actually succeeded is thanks to the efforts of everyone involved to find a suitable solution, ”Oliver Ruhnert said.

Speaking on the move, Awoniyi said he is happy to have finally found a home at the club after years of making temporary move. He said he hope to match same height like he did last season before he suffered the injury that slowed him down.

“I am happy to finally arrive after the many rental stations in recent years and have a home. I owe so much to Union and the fact that I have now been given a firm commitment makes me happy and proud. It’s fantastic that I can continue to go down the great path with the club. I’ll give everything to pick up where I was before my injury, ”said Taiwo Awoniyi.

 

Osimhen Facing Pay Cut At Napoli After Failure To Qualify For UEFA Champions League

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President of Napoli Aurelio De Laurentiis has hinted that the failure of his team to qualify for the UEFA Champions League might lead to a situation where wages of high earning players will be slashed.

The president made this known while speaking on the financial condition of the team as the wage bill has gone beyond what the club currently generates, no thanks to the coronavirus pandemic.

“It is not a problem not to have gone to the Champions League, the problem is that we have gone from 30 million salaries to 50, 75, 120 and today to 156 million. It is obvious that we must first of all heal this problem, Napoli spends figures that he does not invoice and must review salaries based on what he earns”, the president explained.

Presently Victor Osimhen (€5.4m) is among the highest paid players at the club with only the likes of Kalidou Koulibaly, Piotr Zielinski, Kostas Manolas, Dries Mertens and Lorenzo Insigne earning more than him.

For now there is still some way to go before the pay slash will be implemented as the club is looking to move on some players before the end of the current transfer window and that will no doubt reduce the wage bill to an extent.

Done Deal: Awoniyi Joins Union Berlin On Permanent Deal From Liverpool

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Taiwo Awoniyi has left Liverpool training camp to seal a permanent move to German side Union Berlin for a fee believe to be in the region of €6.5m.

Awoniyi was granted a work permit enabling him to play for Liverpool for the first time since his move to the team in 2015 but that won’t be happening next season.

He is already in Germany for medicals with Union Berlin where he spent last season on loan and scored five goals in 22 games in the Bundesliga.

His move will bring to an end his long wait to have a permanent team after several loan deals since he joined Liverpool. He is expected to sign a five year deal with the option of a further year with the German side.

We gathered Liverpool also included a sell on clause in the deal and they will earn 10% of his future transfer from the Bundesliga side. No idea for now if the deal has a buy back clause.

Done Deal- Super Eagles Midfielder Frank Onyeka Arrives UK, Becomes Brentford Record Signing

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Fringe Nigeria international Frank Onyeka has arrived England after sealing a €10m move to newly promoted English Premier League side Brentford from Danish side Midtjylland.

23 year old Onyeka finally got his visa to travel to the United Kingdom two days ago and he will now resume training as he has already received his work permit as first reported by this portal.

His move also makes him the most expensive purchase ever by Brentford as his £8.5m signing puts him ahead of Ollie Watkins who was signed by the club for £6.5m In the 2017/2018 season.

Coach of Brentford Thomas Frank sees him as a player who is suited to the English Premier League with his main attribute of breaking up play and initiating attack as his main strength aided by his physical appearance.

Last season he played in 41 games for Midtjylland in all competitions playing as a defensive midfielder in 32 of those games and 7 as a central midfielder. He scored four goals and had four assists.

Let Him Go – Ex Chelsea Defender Omeruo Pleads With Genk To Allow West Ham Target Onuachu Leave

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Nigeria international and Leganes defender Kenneth Omeruo says Genk should allow Paul Onuachu get his dream move to leave the club this summer as he was worked hard to earn a move.

Genk are open to allowing the lanky forward who scored 25 goals last season leave the club this summer but their valuation of the 26 years old has so far made it impossible for interested teams.

They want a fee in the region of €20-25m, a sum which clubs have struggled to meet as they come to terms with the financial reality of losses suffered due to the coronavirus pandemic.

West Ham are the leading contenders for his signature but the move has suffered several setbacks with many suggesting that they could back out of a move if a deal isn’t reached by the end of this month.

Reacting to the situation of Onuachu, his international teammate with the senior national team of Nigeria Omeruo said this is the best time for him to leave and Genk should show understanding.

“ This is the best time for him. It is true the market is quiet so the club has to adapt to the change and let him go to a better club. This season might not be like last one. I hope he does better but it’s football you never know.

“So they have to adapt and let him go to a better and bigger club. He has worked hard to earn it. My thoughts though”, Omeruo posted on Instagram.

I Will Be Back – Nigeria U20 Midfielder Oforboh Reacts To Gerrard’s Revelation That He Has Heart Issues

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Nigeria U20 midfield ace Nnamdi Oforboh is upbeat that he will be back playing soon after manager of Rangers of Scotland Steven Gerrard revealed he has issues with his heart.

Oforboh joined the Scottish champions on a free transfer but his career has now been placed on halt after a routine heart check revealed some defects that requires medical attention.

Gerrard made this known after their 2-2 draw against Arsenal in a pre season game on Saturday while speaking on the reason why the Nigerian hasn’t been involved in pre season games so far.

“I don’t think you’ll see him in the short term,”he told Rangers TV after Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Arsenal. Unfortunately something has flagged up with his ECG, which is the heart test.

“We’ve got top medical people here at the club now and we check all the players thoroughly from head to toe when they arrive.

“Unfortunately there’s been a bit of a red flag with a heart issue so he’s going to see some specialists in the coming weeks and we need to do more tests before we move forward.

“It’s disappointing and frustrating but we’ll have to manage and cope.

“The important thing is the player’s health, which we’ll obviously focus on first and foremost.

“Of course it is disappointing and frustrating for the player but I spoke to him yesterday, told him to keep smiling and be patient and we will do everything we can to support him, get him in front of the right people and the right support and hopefully he will be back, not too long.”

Reacting, Oforboh said “ God has a purpose for your pain. A reason for your struggle and a reward for your faithfulness. God is the only reason I have made it this far. I will be back”, he posted on Instagram.