I didn’t want to leave Fenerbahce – Osayi-Samuel finally lifts lid on last summer’s transfer saga

Super Eagles defender Bright Osayi-Samuel has revealed that leaving Fenerbahce last summer was a difficult decision, Afrik-Foot reports.

​Osayi-Samuel joined Fenerbahce from QPR in 2021 in a deal worth €508k. At the time, he was still a developing talent finding his feet; however, it was in Istanbul where he truly came into his own.

During his time at the club, he became a mainstay under several managers, including José Mourinho, making 178 appearances and contributing seven goals and 15 assists.

​Throughout last season, Osayi-Samuel’s future was a major talking point as his contract approached its final months.

There were rumors that he was demanding a salary the Yellow Canaries were unwilling to meet. Ultimately, his contract expired, and he completed a surprising free transfer to English Championship side Birmingham City.

Despite being linked with Premier League clubs like Fulham and Sunderland, the move to the Midlands was the one that eventually materialized.

​Bright Osayi-Samuel Reveals The Truth Behind the Departure

​Since leaving Turkey, Osayi-Samuel has been quiet about the circumstances of his exit. However, in a recent interview with Libero TV, the 28-year-old broke down exactly what transpired between him and the club.

​The Super Eagles star admitted that the primary reason for the breakdown in negotiations was a conflict with his representation.

​”Many journalists in Turkey make up stories to grab attention, but for me—and the club knows this—I never made unreasonable demands,” Osayi-Samuel explained.

“At the start of the season, former sporting director Mario Branco offered me a contract, and we accepted.”

​He clarified that the issue arose because he was in the process of firing his representative.

​”I remember a journalist tweeted that I was demanding more money, and I had no idea where it came from.

“Then I saw a message from my former agent showing he had discussed this with the journalist behind my back. That made me angry. I wanted to leave my agent and sign with a new one.”

​Osayi-Samuel noted that he delayed signing the new deal to ensure his former agent wouldn’t receive a commission from it.

He and Mario Branco had a verbal agreement to sign once the new agency was finalized, but the delay allowed rumors to spiral out of control.

​”I should have ignored it, but it really affected me. I am grateful just to have played for Fenerbahce; I would never ask for such a ridiculous amount. This is just football, and I’ve learned a lesson from it.”

​So far, Osayi-Samuel’s move to Birmingham City has yielded mixed results. The Nigerian international has featured in 26 Championship games this season, albeit a good chunk of those appearances have come from the substitute bench.

​Birmingham City currently sit 10th in the Championship table with 63 points after 45 games.

They trail the Premier League playoff zone by seven points, and with only one game remaining in the season, the club is mathematically out of contention for promotion and will remain in the Championship next season.