Fenerbahçe have open contract talks with Nigeria international Bright Osayi-Samuel with the intention of tying the defender to a long-term contract, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Osayi-Samuel has less than a year left on his running contract and will be free to open discussions with other clubs in January.
According to reports in Turkey, two English Premier League clubs have shown interest in the Nigerian, prompting the Yellow-Navy Blues to accelerate their contract negotiations with him to avoid losing him for free at the end of the 2024/25 season.
“There are important developments in Fenerbahçe’s domestic transfers. The Yellow-Navy Blues have started to take concrete steps regarding Osayi Samuel, whose contract will expire at the end of the season,” Turkish outlet Superhaber wrote.
“It was reported that two clubs from England contacted the star player’s manager, which is why the Yellow-Navy Blues have accelerated contract negotiations.
“It was learnt that one of these clubs is a Premier League team and the other is a Championship team. It was stated that Fenerbahçe Management will sit down with Osayi in January and seek an agreement.”
According to multiple reports, the 26-year-old player, who joined Fenerbahçe from English outfit Queens Park Rangers in 2021, wanted a raise in his salary, and that is why the negotiations between the two parties are progressing slowly.
Since joining Fenerbahçe, Osayi-Samuel has become an integral part of the team, making 145 appearances, scoring seven goals, and registering 14 assists.
So far this season, the Nigerian has played six matches, registering one assist, but had his season interrupted by an ankle injury sustained during Fenerbahçe’s Europa League match against Union SG, where he was also sent off after coming on as a substitute.