Bright Osayi-Samuel’s future at Fenerbahce appears all but over as the Nigerian right-back is set to be removed from the club’s registered squad for the second half of the season, Soccernet.ng understands.
The decision to axe Osayi-Samuel comes in the wake of his contract standoff with the club, with head coach José Mourinho approving his exclusion, according to a report by Turkiye Gazetesi.
Fenerbahce had been keen to secure Osayi-Samuel on a long-term deal, but despite improved financial terms, the 27-year-old rejected the extension. His current contract is set to expire in June, allowing him to leave on a free transfer—a scenario the club had been eager to avoid.
With negotiations reaching a deadlock, Mourinho and Fenerbahce’s management have moved decisively.
Reports from Turkey suggest that the club is actively looking to offload the former Queens Park Rangers man before the end of the January transfer window.
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Osayi-Samuel, however, is playing the long game. The right-back, who will turn 28 in December, is said to be prioritising a move to the Premier League — a long-standing ambition since his breakthrough at Blackpool in 2015.
Fenerbahce have wasted no time in identifying a replacement and have set their sights on Bayern Munich’s Sacha Boey as per Fotospor.
The 24-year-old Frenchman joined the German giants from Galatasaray for €30 million last summer but has struggled with injuries and has yet to establish himself in the first team.
Reports indicate that Bayern Munich may be open to loaning Boey out, with Fenerbahce prepared to make a formal approach in the coming days.
This bold move is also seen as a psychological blow to Galatasaray, Fenerbahce’s fierce rivals, who had previously been linked with bringing Boey back to Turkey. The Canaries are reportedly willing to offer a transfer fee if necessary, despite the Frenchman’s contract running until 2028.
Osayi-Samuel’s time at Fenerbahce now looks set to end sooner rather than later.
Since joining from QPR for just over €500,000 in January 2021, the Nigerian international has made 163 appearances, scoring seven goals and providing 14 assists. His performances have drawn interest from several Premier League sides, including Crystal Palace and West Ham United.
