By: Ebenezer Bajela
According to reports in Turkey, Championship side, Leeds United, have made an offer in the region of £7m for Nigeria international, Bright Osayi-Samuel, but Fenerbahçe are not ready to enter into negotiations until the end of the season, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Daniel Farke’s side are currently second in the Championship with 79 points, three points behind Leicester City, who occupy the top spot, and are hoping to be in the Premier League for the 2024/25 season.
Osayi-Samuel has been a long term target for the Yorkshire side and reports on Wednesday claimed the English club had made a bid of £7m for the versatile player.
On Tuesday, American sports journalist, Ben Jacobs, reported that Osayi-Samuel was eyeing a return to England with Leeds United a possible destination.
“Leeds’ interest has been historical, so it’s no surprise if they return. England is somewhere that he would be prepared to entertain, would ideally be looking for Premier League football, from what I’m told,” the American journalist was quoted as saying by Leeds United News.
“So if Leeds are to reignite interest in a player that they’ve tracked before, then it would likely, given that there is other Premier League interest, be contingent on them getting promoted.”
Osayi-Samuel came through the ranks of Blackpool before making a switch to Queens Park Rangers in 2017 for a reported €100,000.
After three-and-a-half years with the Hoops in the Championship, the Nigerian joined Turkish side Fenerbahce during the January transfer window in 2021.
The 26-year-old has spent the last three years in Turkish football with Fenerbahce – having a hand in 17 goals in 128 games.
The Super Eagles star is enjoying his best season yet, contributing three goals and four assists in 28 games for Fenerbahce while also reaching the final of the Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria in Ivory Coast, where they narrowly lost to the hosts.
The versatile player, who is yet to play in the Premier League, is about to enter the final 12 months of his contract with the Turkish giants and a summer move looks likely.
Leeds, Crystal Palace and Wolves have been regularly linked with a move for the Nigerian and a new report says he is keen on returning to England, with a Premier League side.