Turkish giants Fenerbahçe are reportedly keen on extending the contract of Nigerian international Bright Osayi-Samuel.
He joined Fenerbahce in January 2021 and has quickly risen to become a key player for the Turkish top-flight side. Since moving to Turkey, Osayi-Samuel has settled in seamlessly and excelled despite transitioning from winger to right-back.
With his current contract expiring in 2025, the Fenerbahçe hierarchy are taking proactive measures to extend it to prevent him from leaving for free.
Fenerbahçe's proposed contract offer for Osayi-Samuel
According to a report by Fotomaç as reported by Aspor, the Nigeria international's contract, which will expire in 2025, will be extended for an additional three years, should both Fenerbahçe and the player's representatives agree on a new deal.
Bright Osayi-Samuel's current annual salary of €600,000 is being significantly increased. Under the new contract, he will earn €1 million per year.
The former QPR man, who played in 37 matches this season across the Super League, Conference League Qualifiers, Conference League, and Turkish Cup, was on the field for 2,898 minutes, scoring 3 goals and providing 6 assists.
Despite his impressive individual performances, Osayi-Samuel and Fenerbahce look set to end the campaign without any major piece of silverware.
The Yellow Canaries are second on the league table and six points behind leaders and bitter rivals Galatasaray with just two matches left.
Will Osayi-Samuel agree to Fenerbahçe's lucrative offer or return to England?
The 26-year-old finds himself at a career crossroads with Fenerbahçe's proposed lucrative contract extension that would see his annual salary rise from €600,000 to €1 million.
However, Bright Osayi-Samuel has also attracted interest from several English clubs, including Leeds United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Crystal Palace.
A return to England could be tempting for the player, offering him a chance to compete in one of the world's most prestigious leagues and potentially enhance his international profile.
The decision for Osayi-Samuel boils down to weighing the benefits of staying at Fenerbahçe against the allure of returning to the English Premier League.
At Fenerbahçe, he is a valued player with a substantial contract on the table. The continuity and stability offered by staying could further his development and solidify his status as a top performer in Turkey.
On the other hand, moving back to England could provide new challenges and opportunities. The Premier League's visibility and competitiveness might be appealing, and the chance to prove himself in England could be a significant draw.
Ultimately, Osayi-Samuel's decision will depend on his career aspirations and personal preferences.
If he values the security and appreciation he has found at Fenerbahçe, he may opt to accept their lucrative offer.
However, if he is eager for new challenges and the prestige of the Premier League, a return to England could be on the horizon.
Regardless of his decision, his impressive performances have already marked him as a standout talent in Turkish football.
Bright Osayi-Samuel poised to play key role for Nigeria in crucial World Cup qualifiers
Osayi-Samuel is poised to play a crucial role for Nigeria in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against South Africa and Benin.
The Super Eagles urgently need a win after failing to secure victory in their first two qualifying matches.
Although Nigeria's head coach, Finidi George, has yet to announce his squad for the upcoming matches, all signs indicate that Osayi-Samuel will be included.
The 27-year-old appears to have earned the trust of the national team coach, having featured prominently during the March international friendlies against Ghana and Mali. He was among the few players who played the full 90 minutes in both matches.
With Zaidu Sanusi currently sidelined due to injury and Bruno Onyemaechi failing to impress in recent outings, it is likely that George will deploy Ola Aina at left-back or left wing-back to accommodate Osayi-Samuel on the right.
While Osayi-Samuel is not a regular starter in the national team lineup when everyone is available, he has a significant opportunity to stake his claim when Nigeria faces South Africa and Benin next month, assuming he continues to earn George's favour.
