English Premier League teams are monitoring Fisayo Dele-Bashiru as interest intensifies in the Nigerian midfielder ahead of the summer transfer window, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

According to Sky Sports, three clubs are tracking the Lazio star, with discussions over his future at the club expected at the end of the season.

“Three unnamed Premier League clubs are interested in signing Lazio midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru,” Sky Sports reported.

“The former Sheffield Wednesday player has two years left on his contract and talks with Lazio over his future are expected to take place at the end of the season.”

Sky added that player is receptive to the possibility of returning to England despite being content in Italy.

“Sources close to Dele-Bashiru have told Sky Sports News that while he’s happy at Lazio, he is open to a move to the Premier League,” the reported added.

The 24-year-old, who has earned 17 caps for Nigeria, has continued to attract attention despite limited opportunities in Serie A.

Lazio had reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth during the winter transfer window, while Trabzonspor were also linked without submitting a formal bid.

Dele-Bashiru, who joined Lazio from Hatayspor in 2024, remains under contract, with the Italian club determined to retain him as they continue their campaign.

His growing influence was evident in Lazio’s 3-3 draw with Udinese, where he was introduced at half-time and added physicality to the midfield.

Manager Maurizio Sarri acknowledged the midfielder’s presence but pointed to a missed opportunity as a key moment in the match, noting that it came when Lazio were leading and in a strong position to take control.

Sarri admitted that his side lacked intensity and composure in the early stages but improved significantly after the break, with Dele-Bashiru contributing to a more competitive second-half performance that nearly secured victory.

“We entered as a team with a lot of nerves, we entered the game after half an hour,” he said in comments reported by Fanta Calcio.

“The second half was of excellent level, the turning point of the match on 2-1 is the missed goal opportunity with Dele-Bashiru.”

“We immediately suffered the physical gap this evening, we went into difficulty on all the dirty balls in the penalty area. There was great character in looking for the draw as well,” Sarri concluded.

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Ademola Lookman will aim to end his goal drought against Arsenal when Atlético Madrid travel to London for the decisive second leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final on Tuesday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The tie remains finely balanced at 1-1 following the first leg in Madrid, with both sides seeking a place in the final scheduled for May 30 in Budapest, where either Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain await.

Lookman, who delivered an impressive display in the first leg, remains central to Atlético’s attacking plans despite failing to score or assist in six previous meetings against Arsenal.

The Nigerian completed 95 per cent of his passes in the opposition half, registered four shots with two on target, and contributed defensively in a performance that earned widespread praise.

Simeone highlighted the forward’s all-round contribution in the first leg, particularly his defensive effort, noting that the player is increasingly adapting to the team’s tactical demands.

“I loved Lookman’s game; we’re getting an important player to understand that his defensive work helps us,” Simeone said.

The Atlético coach also acknowledged the quality of the opposition, stressing that Arsenal’s depth and consistency make them formidable contenders.

“You saw the five of their players who came on… they’re very good and have more than enough talent to compete,” he added.

“They’ve won 10 Champions League matches, drawn three, and haven’t lost. We’re playing against a fantastic team.”

Lookman’s former teammate at Atalanta, Michel Adopo, has backed the Nigerian to make the difference in the return leg, expressing belief in his ability to rise to the occasion. Reflecting on their time together, Adopo suggested that Lookman is now fully embracing his role at a top club and is capable of delivering in decisive moments.

“After the triumph, I remember that Ademola himself didn’t understand the importance of his performance. Atletico is an amazing opportunity for Ademola,” he said.

“Finally, he is at a giant club. I actually believe he will score against Arsenal.”

Atlético head into the contest on the back of a confidence-boosting win over Valencia, although there was a sense of frustration after the first leg, where they were widely considered to have created enough chances to take a lead into the return fixture.

The Spanish side started strongly before a defensive lapse led to a penalty converted by Viktor Gyökeres, while a second-half spot-kick from Julián Alvarez restored parity after a Ben White handball.

Despite creating further opportunities, including missed chances by Lookman, Atlético were unable to capitalise.

Manager Diego Simeone rotated his squad heavily in the league win over Valencia, resting key players ahead of the trip to the Emirates Stadium, with several first-leg starters expected to return.

Despite the challenge, Atlético will draw confidence from past encounters, including their progression against Arsenal in the 2017/18 Europa League semi-final, as well as historical precedent in similar scenarios where they have advanced after drawing the first leg.

With a place in the final at stake and Atlético seeking their first appearance in a decade, attention will be firmly on Lookman as he looks to break his scoring drought and help his side overcome one of Europe’s most consistent teams.

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Athletics Federation of Nigeria president Tonobok Okowa has praised President Bola Tinubu for supporting Nigeria’s successful outing at the World Relays in Gaborone, where the country secured multiple qualification tickets for the 2027 World Athletics Championships, The PUNCH reports.

Team Nigeria concluded their campaign in Gaborone with four qualification slots for the Beijing event, adding to an earlier African record performance in the mixed 4x100m relay on the opening day.

Reflecting on the campaign in an interview with The PUNCH, Okowa credited the Federal Government and the National Sports Commission for ensuring timely preparations, noting that financial support played a key role in the team’s performance.

“I give thanks to President Bola Tinubu, the NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko and the Director General Bukola Olopade for making it possible for us to travel in good time,” he said.

Okowa singled out President Tinubu for specific commendation, attributing the team’s successful qualification to the availability of funds for the trip.

“Specifically, I thank President Tinubu for making funds available for us to travel, and we have come out well,” he added.

He further explained that the team spent about two weeks preparing in Botswana ahead of the competition, a period he believes contributed significantly to the results achieved, including qualification across all relay events.

“We went to Gaborone, Botswana, to try to secure more qualifications,” he said.

“We spent about two weeks there and were able to achieve good results, which led to all six relay teams qualifying.”

“We then returned here, and we were brought again in good time and properly accommodated.”

The team also earned a place at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship scheduled to take place in Budapest later this year.

The mixed 4x400m quartet of Samson Nathaniel, Mary Kudoro, Chidi Okezie and Patience Okon-George delivered a season’s best of 3:12.88 to finish second behind South Africa and secure qualification, while the women’s 4x100m team of Rosemary Nwankwo, Obi Chukwuka, Maria Thompson-Omokwe and Miracle Ezechukwu bounced back from earlier baton errors to claim a ticket with a season’s best of 42.94 seconds.

Nigeria, however, fell short in other events, with the men’s 4x100m and men’s 4x400m teams narrowly missing out on qualification, while the women’s 4x400m team did not compete in the repechage.

Okowa also highlighted the contribution of home-based athletes, including several still in secondary school, as a positive indicator for the future of Nigerian athletics.

“The athletes, especially those home based, did very well,” Okowa said.

“Among them are girls who are still in secondary school, they played a significant role in this, and it shows clearly that the future of athletics in Nigeria will be bright.”

Okowa concluded by commending both athletes and coaches for their efforts, emphasising the collective commitment that led to Nigeria’s achievements in Gaborone.

He said, “I want to thank all the athletes and coaches who worked seriously to ensure that we are celebrating today.”

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