Bournemouth send private jet to Istanbul in last ditch attempt to woo Osayi-Samuel

ENGLISH Premier League side Bournemouth have sent a private jet to Turkey to try and woo Nigerian fullback Bright Osayi-Samuel at the last minute just before the January transfer window closes tomorrow.

Currently playing for Turkish giants Fenerbahçe, Osayi-Samuel has been the subject of a lot of transfer speculation lately after he said he wants to return to England. Among the English Premier League teams that have expressed an interest in signing the former Queens Park Rangers (QPR) fullback of late include Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace.

Osayi-Samuel, 25, joined Fenerbahce from QPR in January 2021 and up until the end of last year made 83 appearances in all competitions for the Istanbul club, registering three goals and six assists. This season, however, he has lost his place in the starting line-up, only making three starts from a possible 13 in the Turkish Super Lig.

With several club lurking for the defender, Bournemouth have sent a private jet to Istanbul to speak with the Nigerian international. Under the deal being proposed by the Cherries, the south coast club are suggesting an initial loan with a view to buy him at a later date in a package said to be worth around £12m.

A versatile player who can play as a winger or wing-back, Osayi-Samuel came through the youth ranks of Blackpool, before progressing into the first team. He moved to QPR in the summer of 2017, where he scored 13 goals and provided 13 assists in 115 appearances before moving to Istanbul.

Now a fully fledged international, Osayi-Samuel made his Nigeria debut in November of last year, when he featured in a pre-World Cup friendly against Portugal. According to online football portal Soccernet, Crystal Palace was aiming to sign Osayi-Samuel for a sum of approximately €11.28m.