Victor Osimhen has been crowned Footballer of the Year at the 72nd edition of the Milliyet Sports Awards, one of the most prestigious honours in Turkish sport.

The Galatasaray S.K. striker received the award at a ceremony held in Istanbul, further cementing his status as one of the standout performers in European football. Although he was unable to attend in person due to recovery from arm surgery following a fracture, the Nigerian forward still made his presence felt by addressing the audience via video message.

In his remarks, Osimhen expressed appreciation to everyone who contributed to his success, including his club, teammates, fans and staff, acknowledging their role in his achievements.

The recognition comes after a remarkable run of form, particularly during the 2024/25 campaign when he played a decisive role in Galatasaray’s title-winning season in the Süper Lig. His goalscoring exploits were central to the club securing their 25th league title, with the striker delivering consistently across all competitions.

His impact extended beyond domestic football, with strong performances in European competitions and the Turkish Cup further underlining his importance to the team. That momentum carried into the current season, where he continued to produce impressive numbers before being sidelined by injury.

Osimhen’s dominance ultimately saw him edge out high-profile contenders such as Arda Güler, Hakan Çalhanoğlu and Kenan Yıldız to claim the top prize.

Despite his current absence, the award highlights the consistency and influence he has shown over the past year, reinforcing his reputation as one of the most clinical forwards in the game.

Rio Ferdinand has urged Manchester United F.C. to prioritise signing two central midfielders this summer, alongside reinforcements in attack and at full-back.

United’s resurgence under Michael Carrick has lifted them into the top three of the Premier League, putting them in a strong position to secure UEFA Champions League football. Despite the improvement, Ferdinand believes the squad still needs targeted additions rather than a complete overhaul.

He suggested a realistic transfer window would involve four signings, with at least two capable of stepping straight into the starting XI. At the top of his list is midfield, where he wants one established starter and another younger option to develop alongside Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo.

Ferdinand also called for a young forward to provide depth in attack, as well as a new full-back to strengthen the defensive options. In his view, these additions would significantly improve the balance of the squad without the need for a major rebuild.

Among the midfield targets linked with United is Sandro Tonali, though competition and financial factors could complicate any deal involving Newcastle United F.C..

Ferdinand, however, appears particularly keen on Elliot Anderson, who has impressed with his energy and all-action style. He believes the midfielder fits the profile United currently lack—someone capable of covering ground, driving the team forward, and adding physical presence in the middle of the pitch.

While other names have been mentioned, Ferdinand hinted there are additional young talents being monitored, stressing the importance of recruiting players with both quality and the right mentality.

With momentum building under Carrick, United’s next transfer window could prove crucial in determining whether they can turn their recent progress into a sustained title challenge.

Manchester United F.C. have reportedly made an initial enquiry over Waldemar Anton as they explore defensive reinforcements ahead of the summer transfer window.

While United’s primary focus remains on strengthening midfield following heavy investment in attack last year, the club are also assessing options at centre-back and left-back. Injuries to Lisandro Martínez and Matthijs de Ligt have exposed a lack of depth in recent weeks, prompting the need for more reliable long-term solutions.

Manager Michael Carrick has been forced to rotate limited options in defence, and United are now actively scanning the market. Murillo of Nottingham Forest F.C. is among the names under consideration, but Anton has also emerged as a serious candidate.

According to reports in Germany, United have gathered information on the Borussia Dortmund defender, who is also attracting interest from Atlético Madrid. The Spanish side have tracked Anton for some time, dating back to his early days in the Bundesliga.

There is some uncertainty at Dortmund regarding the future of their defensive pairing. While Nico Schlotterbeck is expected to commit his long-term future to the club, concerns remain that Anton could be tempted by interest from abroad. Bayer 04 Leverkusen have also monitored the situation in the past.

Despite the growing attention, Dortmund are not actively looking to sell. The 29-year-old is viewed as a crucial figure within the squad, both for his leadership and consistency at the back, and remains under contract until 2028.

Anton himself has played down the speculation, insisting his full focus is on achieving success with Dortmund and competing for major honours, making it clear that transfer rumours are not a distraction at this stage.