Fenerbahçe head coach José Mourinho has requested that the club offer Nigerian defender Bright Osayi-Samuel an extended and improved contract as his current deal nears its expiration at the end of the season. The Turkish side is now working quickly to retain Osayi-Samuel’s services, following reports by Turkish outlet *Fanatik*.
In light of Mourinho’s insistence, Fenerbahçe has engaged Osayi-Samuel’s agent, Steven Beck, in contract discussions aimed at securing the defender for an additional three years.
This deal is crucial for Fenerbahçe, who see the 25-year-old as a vital asset to their squad and are keen to keep him amid rising interest from Istanbul rivals.
According to sources, Beck met with Fenerbahçe’s Sporting Director Mario Branco, representing Osayi-Samuel in the contract negotiations.
However, Beck reportedly faced criticism for demanding an annual salary of €2.5 million for his client.
During the meeting, Beck noted an offer from Fenerbahçe’s local rival Galatasaray, stating, “We received an offer from Galatasaray.
They offered us €2.5 million. Therefore, we cannot reduce our request.”
Osayi-Samuel joined Fenerbahçe in 2021 from Queens Park Rangers, moving for a transfer fee of €508,000.
His versatility and defensive skills have made him a valuable player, particularly under Mourinho’s guidance.
So far this season, the right-back has featured in seven matches and contributed one assist, solidifying his role within Fenerbahçe’s defensive line.
With Fenerbahçe eager to re-sign the Nigerian defender, Mourinho’s call for action underscores the importance of Osayi-Samuel to the team’s strategy.
His performances on the field have not gone unnoticed, and Mourinho’s endorsement is seen as a strong signal of the coach’s faith in the player’s abilities.
The club hopes to finalize the extension soon to avoid losing Osayi-Samuel to Galatasaray or other potential suitors.
In other sports news, top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka has secured her place in the WTA Finals semi-finals, defeating Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in straight sets on Monday.
The Belarusian star’s 6-3, 7-5 victory not only confirmed her advancement but also resulted in the elimination of Elena Rybakina from the season-ending tournament in Riyadh.
Rybakina’s earlier defeat to Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen in a hard-fought 7-6 (7-4), 3-6, 6-1 match left her reliant on Paolini to stay in the running.
However, Sabalenka’s determination saw her save two set points and maintain her dominant form, inching closer to both the WTA Finals title and securing the world number one ranking.
Reflecting on the match, Sabalenka, 26, acknowledged Paolini’s resilience, saying, “(Paolini) is such a great player, putting so much pressure and moving well.
Sabalenka’s focus now shifts to her final Purple Group match against Rybakina on Wednesday, where a win would cement her status as the top-ranked player heading into 2025, safe from competition by Iga Świątek.
The season’s end promises intense competition on both the football pitch and tennis court, with Mourinho and Sabalenka making headlines in their respective pursuits.
