Newly-promoted Premier League side Southampton have reportedly contacted Fenerbahçe for the services of Nigeria international Bright Osayi-Samuel.
The Saints earned a swift return to the top flight by defeating Leeds United in the Championship playoff final.
Manager Russell Martin is keen on strengthening the squad heading into the 2024/25 campaign, to avoid a speedy return to the second tier.
Reports emerged in Turkey on Saturday that Osayi-Samuel has been identified by the Southampton boss, and the club have subsequently made an offer of £6.5 million for the versatile Super Eagles defender.
Bright Osayi-Samuel: Fenerbahce stay or Premier League beckons?
Osayi-Samuel joined Fenerbahçe in January 2021 and swiftly became a key player for the Turkish top-flight team.
With his current contract expiring in June 2025, Fenerbahçe hierarchy is taking proactive measures to extend it to prevent him from leaving for free. Earlier reports indicated that Osayi-Samuel had requested to leave in the summer.
However, Fanatik reported last week that Fenerbahçe is keen on extending Osayi-Samuel's contract beyond its current term due to his impressing the club's new manager, José Mourinho.
The Yellow-Navy Blue team have begun talks to extend Osayi-Samuel's contract. Currently earning a net annual salary of €1.8 million, Fenerbahçe have offered him a new deal with a net annual salary of €2.5 million.
Although discussions are ongoing, no agreement has been reached yet. Both parties are expected to meet in the coming days in the hopes of reaching a compromise.
In mid-March, Osayi-Samuel and some of his teammates were part of a post-match brawl with a pitch invader, prompting disciplinary actions by the league administration before he was cleared of any wrongdoing.
These incidents, coupled with the noted interest, appear to have reinforced his determination to make a comeback to English football.
In the recently concluded 2023/24 Turkish Super Lig season, Osayi-Samuel scored four goals and contributed one assist in 23 appearances.
