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United ready to pay record €140m for Osimhen – Report

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Manchester Unitedare preparing a whooping €140m bid for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen before the end of the summer transfer window.

According to Il Mattino, a reputable Naples-based outlet, Cristiano Ronaldo’s agent, Jorge Mendes, has told the Serie A giants to expect a massive offer for the Nigeria international.

Mendes has been working to secure a move for Ronaldo, who wants to play in the Champions League this season.

Il Mattino claims that Manchester United are even willing to fund a large part of Ronaldo’s wages as part of a deal which would allow them to replace the Portuguese star with Osimhen.

The Serie A side are looking to sell the Nigerian to facilitate Ronaldo’s arrival from Old Trafford, with a deal that could be worth up to €140m expected to be discussed between the two clubs in the coming days.

Having narrowly won against Southampton on Saturday, many fans believe United lack a prolific goal-hungry striker and Osimhen could be the perfect fit to end United’s goals-scoring woes.

Napoli are reportedly keen to bring Ronaldo back to Serie A, as the veteran forward looks to leave Old Trafford to secure Champions League football. He has already offered himself to several sides in Europe, including Milan and Inter.

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis is an admirer of Ronaldo and is willing to cash €140m for Osimhen.

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Osimhen was once a target of Arsenal and Tottenham, but only fellow interested party Newcastle may be willing to splash over £100m on the star.

If Osimhen’s deal goes through, Ronaldo’s bogus £360,000-a-week wages will not be a problem for Napoli as Laurentiis plans to use Italy’s tax laws to aid his pursuit.

SEE ALSO:  Golfers converge in Enugu for maiden Pete Edochie Golf Tournament

The law provides tax cuts for Italian clubs buying foreign players from abroad – which means Napoli could save 50 per cent on Ronaldo’s wages.

Meanwhile, Napoli boss Luciano Spalletti disclosed there is “nothing concrete” at the moment between Napoli, Manchester United and Cristiano Ronaldo, but explained it “wouldn’t be a swap with Victor Osimhen” if it did happen.

Speaking at a press conference, Spalletti said, “If you’re asking me if I’d like to work with Ronaldo, I tell you no coach would say no to that. However, if we go into those areas, the journalists like to fill in for themselves, then as Osimhen’s agent said, there are no negotiations.

“De Laurentiis, he told me that he received no offer, so let’s remain as realistic as possible here and take into consideration only things that could happen.

“There are only a few days left in the transfer window, it seems unlikely that could go through. There is nothing concrete at the moment.

“It wouldn’t be a swap, it would be two different signings, in that case. One of the two can turn a game by himself. But in any case, at the moment we should not consider things that won’t help us pick up three points in Florence.”

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Osimhen has enjoyed a stellar start to the 2022/23 season, scoring in both opening Serie A matches as Napoli wallopped Hellas Verona and Monza via an aggregate score of 9-2.

Brought in from Lille in a club record deal worth €70m in 2020, the 23-year-old forward has experienced good fortunes in southern Italy.

SEE ALSO:  Enugu gov’t announces Coal City Marathon, as night matches commence at Azikiwe Stadium

A move to Napoli could be the answer to Ronaldo’s dream of playing in the Champions League this season.

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Enugu gov’t announces Coal City Marathon, as night matches commence at Azikiwe Stadium

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As part of its effort to promote sporting culture and fitness in the state, the Enugu State Government has announced that it would be hosting the Coal City Marathon Sport Festival on 4th May.

While announcing the development in Enugu on Monday, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Barr. Llyod Ekweremadu, also said the state had already commenced playing night matches at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.

This, he said, became possible because of the governor’s giant strides in the security sector, which has made the state the safest in the country.

The commissioner, who said the half marathon would traverse the city and parks, encouraged lovers of sports to seize the opportunity by registering for the sports festival regardless of whether they fall within the level of professional or amateur as it was meant to revive the spirit of the “huge sporting culture” the state is known for.

He announced that there would be degree of prizes to be won by participants even as he disclosed that both male and female winners would go home with the sum of one million naira each, with the first and second runners-up in both categories clinching the sum of five hundred and three hundred thousand naira, respectively.

The commissioner added that there would be consolation prizes, stressing that Enugu was becoming the premier destination for sports tourism in the region.

“It is a half marathon that will treverse the city. It is an opportunity for us to invite everyone, every lover of sports, regardless of your level of participation in long distant running; whether you are an elite marathon runner or amateur or even if you think you just want to test yourself out and run.

SEE ALSO:  Golfers converge in Enugu for maiden Pete Edochie Golf Tournament

“So, our people should take advantage of it and get registered.

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“Registration is open and the website will soon be up for those outside the state,” he added.

Ekweremadu further noted that Rangers Football Club would be hosting rival clubs at Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in night matches because of the avalability and installation of the modern facilities at the stadium.

According to him, this was also possible because of the improved security situation in the state, which has already put the state in the map as the most secure and peaceful state in the federation.

He explained that the first night match was played at the stadium last week after many years, adding that “nightlife in Enugu state is back and we are elated about that.”

“We are happy we were able to host the finals of the Ball Ogbe at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium. It was the first night match we had at the stadium in several years now, just to test out our facilities. We appreciate the governor for the support he has been given towards the remodelling and the modernisation of Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium.

“Enugu is steadily becoming a premier destination for sports and tourism. So, people from all over the place can come here, host their sports event, and enjoy the hospitality and the sports culture that we have here,” the commissioner said.

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Golfers converge in Enugu for maiden Pete Edochie Golf Tournament

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Golfers converge in Enugu for maiden Pete Edochie Golf Tournament
• Nollywood Icon Pete Edochie MON
Golf championships, which hitherto was a favourite pastime of golfers in Eastern Nigeria, is set return to Enugu as the cream of golfers converge in the Coal City for the maiden edition of Pete Edochie Golf Tournament set to tee off on March 16, 2024.

The three-day golf tourney holds at the Enugu Sports Club (Golf Section) in commemoration of the 77th birthday anniversary of the global screen star and Nollywood Icon, Chief Dr. Pete Edochie MON.

Fully sponsored by Solotone Ventutres Ltd., an international mechanical and electrical engineering company based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the first Pete Edochie golf tourney will feature a match of supremacy between the Python Golf Club of Port Harcourt and Enugu Golf Club.

Golfers are expected to arrive Enugu on Friday, March 15, while the main tee-off and golf battle take place early on Saturday, March 16, followed by award of prizes.

Departures from the open golf tourney event is on Sunday, March 17.

Spokesperson for Solotone, sponsors of the golf tourney, Chief Leo Edochie, noted that “the open tournament is one of the many activities arranged in honour of the superlative achievements of Chief Pete Edochie”, adding that it would be a yearly event.

According to Chief Leo Edochie, “the Coal City of Enugu will never be same after the golf earthquake in honour of Chief Edochie has held”.

On why the choice of Enugu, Solotone noted that Enugu is the city of residence of the revered actor where he lives and works.

SEE ALSO:  Enugu gov’t announces Coal City Marathon, as night matches commence at Azikiwe Stadium

Highlights of the tournament is a tour of memorable places in Enugu and a grand reception.

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Already, members of the Enugu Sports Club are excited about the upcoming event and are fully mobilised for the tourney.

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Cote D’Ivoire win AFCON 2023, defeat Nigeria 2-1, Mbah congratulates Super Eagles

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Cote D’Ivoire win AFCON 2023, defeat Nigeria 2-1
Super Eagles

Ivory Coast came from behind to defeat Nigeria 2-1 in the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Super Eagles were looking to lift the trophy for the fourth time in their history.

Jose Peseiro’s men took the lead in the first half through William Troost-Ekong’s header.

But the Ivorians levelled after the break through Franck Kessie’s header.

With a few minutes left in the game, Sebastien Haller flicked the ball past Stanley Nwabali.

The Elephants have now levelled with Nigeria on three continental titles.

Meanwhile, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu state, has commended the Super Eagles of Nigeria for their good showing at the 2023 African Cup of Nations where they lost slimly to the host nation, Cote d’Ivoire, in the final match, saying they made the nation proud nevertheless.
“Not many people gave the Super Eagles any chance going into the tournament, but they surged all the way to the final. The exploits of the Super Eagles underscores what we can achieve as a nation when we stand together as we have done for weeks that the tournament lasted; and it is my hope that the largely young national team builds on the successes of the tournament, and that as a nation we build on the national concord and purpose displayed in the course of AFCON 2023. Hold your heads high, the Super Eagles, for you made us proud,” Mbah stated.
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SEE ALSO:  Enugu gov’t announces Coal City Marathon, as night matches commence at Azikiwe Stadium
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