By Dayo Awoniyi
Nigeria right-back Bright Osayi-Samuel has emerged as a top transfer target for French Ligue 1 side Stade Rennais, as the club seeks reinforcements ahead of the new season.
The 27-year-old defender’s future at Turkish giants Fenerbahçe appears uncertain after contract renewal talks reportedly broke down.
With his current deal nearing its end, Osayi-Samuel is now being closely monitored by Rennes, who are preparing for the departure of Lorenz Assignon to Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart.
Osayi-Samuel’s ability to play both as a fullback and winger has reportedly made him a highly attractive option for Rennes, who are looking to secure his services on a free transfer.
According to local sources in Istanbul, the Nigerian international has begun preparing for a move away from Turkey, indicating that his time at Fenerbahçe may be drawing to a close.
A switch to Ligue 1 would mark a new chapter in Osayi-Samuel’s career, offering him the opportunity to compete in one of Europe’s top five leagues and strengthen his position within the Super Eagles setup ahead of upcoming international fixtures.
Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. He began his career at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.
