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Wilfred Ndidi Can’t Leave Besiktas This Summer Unless Interested Club Meets Their €10m Price Tag
Any hope held by Nigerian midfielder, Wilfred Oyinyen Ndidi in a likely transfer from Besiktas of Turkey this summer will not come to pass unless his suitor meets the club’s €10m price tag.
READ ALSO: Wilfred Ndidi Shines as Beşiktaş J.K. Secure Away Win Over Gençlerbirliği S.K.
Sports247 gathered that the Istanbul-based side are not ready to let Ndidi go after such a short stint he has had with them, following his arrival from Leicester City of England only last summer.
Incidentally, with Egyptian winger, Mohammed Salah apparently heading to Besiktas in the coming days, The Bulls believe their squad will have more depth with the African combo next season.
Although Ndidi is apparently keen on a move this summer, as he approaches the twilight of his career, Besiktas are not ready to let him go, hence their decision to slap a fixed €10m transfer fee on his shoulder, with high hopes of warding off any club thinking about luring him away.
With that price tag firmly in place, Besiktas promptly rejected a €7m offer from Al-Diriyah of Saudi Arabia for the Super Eagles captain, who is attracting fervid transfer summer interest after just one season with the Turkish Super Lig outfit.
Turkish media outlet, Milliyet revealed that Besiktas value Ndidi at around €10m and are they are not ready to consider any offer that falls below their valuation of the player, whose role as a holding midfielder is globally renowned.
The hard-line decision by Besiktas is on account of the early impact created by Ndidi during just a season with the Istanbul-based club, which has brought interest from teams in Saudi Arabia and Europe for his signature ahead of the incoming season.
A report by Tribal Football added, “The 29-year-old joined Besiktas from Leicester City last summer and quickly became an important figure in midfield.
“Despite injury setbacks, the Nigerian international made 31 appearances across all competitions, while contributing two goals and one assist.”
Sports247 gathered further that the Nath Boys FC of Lagos product, who previously played as a central defender at RKC Genk of Belgium, may now have to start thinking of spending at least another season at Besiktas, who have a strong tradition with Nigerian players.
Among the Nigerian ex-internationals who have featured for Besiktas are Daniel Amokachi and Michael Eneramo, such that Ndidi’s debut season with the club brought back fond memories of their good old days with the former Super Eagles stars.
Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami, has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to include his name in the final list of candidates for the 2027 governorship election or face legal action.
The demand was contained in a letter written by his lawyers, led by Ahmed Raji, SAN, dated Monday and addressed to INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan.
This comes after Pantami’s name was omitted from the list published by INEC on October 10.
His legal team described the omission as unlawful and unexplained, insisting that their client emerged as the party’s candidate in a fresh governorship primary conducted in compliance with court orders.
In the letter jointly signed by Raji, A.T. Kehinde, Abdul Mohammed, Wale Balogun and Chief Tunde Falola, the lawyers gave INEC until Wednesday, October 14, to publish Pantami’s name alongside those of other candidates.
They said Pantami is a registered member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Pantami Ward, Gombe State, and participated in the party’s governorship primary held on May 26, 2026, where he emerged as the winner.
According to the lawyers, the PDP forwarded Pantami’s personal details to INEC on August 8, and the commission published his name on August 29 without raising any objection at the time.
The letter explained that the May 26 primary was later challenged in two suits before the Federal High Court in Gombe: Suit Nos. FHC/GM/CS/9/2026 and FHC/GM/CS/10/2026.
It said that although the court nullified the primary over the manner in which it was conducted, it ruled in Pantami’s favour on the issues of party membership and eligibility.
Citing the judgment in Suit No. FHC/GM/CS/9/2026, the lawyers quoted the court as saying: “I therefore find that the Plaintiff has not established that the 3rd Defendant was legally incapable of being recognised by the 1st Defendant as its member.”
On the second suit, they quoted the court as saying: “As to PDP membership, even though the 2nd Defendant’s name does not appear in Exhibit A, that fact alone is not conclusive of his non-membership.”
The legal team said the court affirmed the party’s authority to determine its membership, noting that the PDP tendered a membership card and register bearing Pantami’s name.
They added that in its judgments delivered on September 24, the court ordered the PDP to conduct a fresh governorship primary within 30 days, in accordance with the Electoral Act, 2026, the party’s constitution and its guidelines.
According to the lawyers, the court limited its consequential orders to nominations arising from the May 26 primary.
“In compliance with the Court Order, the PDP gave the Commission due notice of the court-ordered primary, and conducted the fresh gubernatorial primary election on Tuesday, the 29th day of September, 2026,” the letter stated.
Gombe 2027: Publish my name within three days – Pantami issues INEC ultimatum
News
“He’s Not at the Level We Want, But I Believe in Him” — Simeone Backs Lookman to Rediscover Best Form
Atlético Madrid manager Diego Simeone has thrown his weight behind Nigerian international Ademola Lookman despite admitting that the Super Eagles forward is yet to reach the performance level expected of him at the Spanish club.
Simeone acknowledged that Lookman has not been performing at the standard either the player or the coaching staff desires, but insisted that his commitment in training and willingness to improve remain encouraging.
“Ademola isn’t at the level he wants or we want, but he works hard every day,” Simeone said.
The Argentine tactician also highlighted Lookman’s attacking qualities, particularly his ability to take on defenders, explaining that losing possession is sometimes an unavoidable part of a player’s efforts to create opportunities.
“He’s a dribbler, and he needs to lose the ball sometimes,” the Atlético manager explained.
Despite his assessment of the Nigerian’s current form, Simeone made it clear that he retains confidence in Lookman’s ability to deliver.
“I believe in him,” he declared.
The comments underline the balance Simeone is seeking between demanding improved performances and allowing the forward the freedom to express himself in attacking situations.
Lookman’s reputation has been built on his pace, movement and ability to unsettle defenders in one-on-one situations, qualities that have made him an important attacking option for both club and country.
However, Simeone’s remarks suggest that the Nigerian still has work to do to consistently meet the demands of his manager’s tactical approach.
Rather than questioning Lookman’s effort, the Atlético coach appears encouraged by his attitude and daily commitment, indicating that the player continues to enjoy the backing of the technical staff.
For Lookman, the challenge will be to translate that hard work into more decisive contributions on matchdays while retaining the attacking boldness that defines his game.
Simeone’s message is clear: Lookman has not yet reached the desired standard, but his manager remains convinced that the Nigerian has the qualities and determination to improve.
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