TRANSFER MARKET
Kelechi Iheanacho heading to Egypt
As the January transfer window in Europe is beginning to bubble, there are speculations that Super Eagles player, Kelechi Iheanacho may be heading back to Africa to join Egyptian giants Al Ahly.
The record African champions, according to the Egyptian publication, Kingfut, are reportedly exploring the possibility of signing the former Manchester City and Leicester striker Kelechi Iheanacho.
Kelechi Iheanacho, who joined Sevilla on a free transfer last summer following the expiration of his Leicester City contract, has struggled to make an impact in La Liga.
The Nigerian forward has failed to score or assist in nine league appearances this season, pushing Sevilla to seek a loan move during the January transfer window with an option to buy.
While several English clubs have expressed interest in Iheanacho, the 28-year-old is also reportedly attracting interest from Greece, Turkey, and the USA.
However, according to English outlet Express, Al Ahly have emerged as a contender for his signature as a possible replacement for South African forward Percy Tau, as the Cairo powerhouse looks to bolster their attacking options ahead of the summer’s Club World Cup in USA.
Kelechi Iheanacho has previously featured in the 2018 World Cup in Russia, as well as the two previous AFCON championships for Nigeria.
In addition to his experience at the highest level with both Manchester City and Leicester City, the forward could possibly be a difference-maker for the African champions.
If the rumours are anything to go by, negotiations will be expected to intensify in the coming weeks as Sevilla seeks to offload the striker, and Al Ahly will be aiming to capitalize on this opportunity to bring a seasoned forward into their ranks.
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There are strong indications that Super Eagles and AC Milan winger, Samuel Chukwueze, could exit the Guiseppe Meazza this summer following interest from Turkish Super Lïg side, Besiktas JK.
The 25-year-old joined the Rossonerri from Villarreal in the summer of 2023 but has never really settled in at Milan as he’s largely been a bit part player at the San Siro.
The AFCON 2023 silver medal winner with Nigeria has played paltry 82 minutes since the new manager, Sergio Conceicao, took over as Milan’s head coach, worsening his story with the seven-time UEFA Champions League winners.
According to Europa Calcio, Chukwueze’s future seems increasingly distant from Milan. The player’s agents have suggested him to Ole Gunnar Solksjaer’s side, Besiktas, who have immediately started contacts to bring him to the Turkish Süper Lig.
The 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup winner was linked with a move to Alex Iwobi’s Fulham in January, but time disparity in the transfer market didn’t allow the move to materialize.
Additionally, Milan’s technical director, Geoffrey Moncada, revealed his side were delighted the Super Eagles winger didn’t make a deadline-day transfer to Fulham.
The former Manchester United boss has given the green light to the deal, as he considers Chukwueze to be a valuable reinforcement in the attacking department.
The Turkish club are currently working on a loan-with-obligation-to-buy proposal, and are hopeful their strategy will convince Milan, who intend on recuperating the fees to secure Chukwueze from Villareal two years ago.
Chukwueze on the other hand, is seriously considering a move to Besiktas as he’s aware that he is not part of Milan’s long-term plans. With few opportunities under Sergio Conceicao, the former Villarreal player could accept the Turkish destination to re-establish himself.
Additionally, one of Chukwueze’s best friends, Victor Osimhen, has had nothing but good things to say about the Turkish Super Lig as he enjoys his loan spell with Galatasaray.
In conclusion, a move away from Milan would be a win-win situation for all parties, allowing the Rossoneri to free up space in the squad and for the player to regain the form which saw the Italian side snap him up initially.
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TRANSFER MARKET
Man Utd sign two and lose 10 players as disastrous window for Ruben Amorim slams shut
In spite of their awful season, Manchester United have offloaded 10 players, including Marcus Rashford, on loan while making just two new signings as the winter transfer market closed on Monday night.
The once-great team now sits 13th on the log of the Premier League table and the graph tends to slope downward rather than looking upward as the season progresses.
Any thought of European football next season is more of a mirage. Some more signings would potentially have gone a long way to getting them back on track.
Attacking recruits in particular would have been very useful given United’s goalscoring troubles this season. But it is in defence where United chiefs have chosen to strengthen this time around.
They have signed Lecce defender, Patrick Dorgu who significantly is the first signing since Amorim’s arrival. Manchester United have paid £29.2million for his signature and he has signed a contract until 2030.
The Danish left-back was also joined by another young defender Ayden Heaven, who moved in from Premier League rivals, Arsenal.
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Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim insisted there was no need to panic in the final days of the January transfer window, despite his side slipping to another home defeat on Sunday.
Following their 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace, United have now lost seven of their first 13 league home matches this season, their joint-most at this stage of a league campaign, along with 1893-94.
Goals have been hard to come by for United, with only Everton and the bottom three finding the net on fewer occasions in the Premier League.
With one day to go until the January window closes, Amorim said there would be no panic in the transfer market.
“We are trying everything to improve the team without doing (the transfer) mistakes of the past,” Amorim said. “And trying to balance the urgency of the moment, we know all of the aspects of our club in the moment but we are trying everything.
“When the window closes we will see the players, I’m focused on improving the team as a group, we need to win more games and we will try to do that, this season is like that.
“We need small improvements, try to win points, win the momentum, then we had setbacks and we go again.”
Amorim is yet to pick up back-to-back league wins since taking charge in November but believes the performance against Palace did show signs of improvement.
“The performance improved. Not a lot, but I think we played better than the other games, even against Southampton, we played better today,” he added.
“But when you continue to lose, especially at home, you have that feeling it’s nothing, the small improvement of the team. Let’s go again and see the next game.”
- Reuters
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