Transfers: 5 Gifted Nigerian youngsters on verge of joining bigger clubs

The European transfer season is at its summer peak with top clubs hot in pursuit of football stars in preparation for the new season.

Several top Nigerian football players have been caught in the thick of the to and fro movement of the transfer market and more are still expected to follow.

Ex-U17 star Chidera Ejuke has already completed a switch from Valerenga to Heerenveen while Semi Ajayi is now a Baggie after dumping relegated Rotherham to join West Brom. Not to forget that Club Brugge has coughed out 8 million euros to snap 21 year old David Okereke from Spezia.

Soccernet’s Imhons Erons focuses attention on other Nigerian youngsters whose switch to relatively bigger clubs could be sealed in the coming days.

Alhassan Yusuf, IFK Goteburg to Anderlecht

The versatile Kano-born midfielder has been a revelation in Sweden’s Allsvenskan. The Flying Eagles invitee has been named by some Swedish publications as the number 1 young talent in that country after spending only one season there.

Alhassan Yusuf played 90 mins today for #ifkgöteborg in their [0-0] draw vs #norrkoping in the #sweden #allsvenskan .
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More on https://t.co/qsLNipj1A2
Link in bio#eaglestracker #alhassanyusuf pic.twitter.com/JY73DkuNpE

— Home of Nigerian Footballers (@EaglesTrackerNG) July 28, 2019

Renowned scouts from Barcelona, Watford, and Ajax have, at different times, gone to watch the Nigerian lad in action. But it appears the 19-year-old’s mind is set on putting pen to paper for Belgium giants Anderlecht where he aims to continue his development.

Paul Onuachu, FC Midtjylland to Club Brugge/ Anderlecht

While the gangling striker was shedding sweats and blood for dear fatherland at the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, top clubs in Europe were falling one on another to secure the services of Onuachu.

His club FC Midtjylland are reported to have thrown out bids of 5 million euros from both Club Brugge and Anderlecht for the 25-year-old, whose transfer market value is pegged at 6 million euros.

RSC Anderlecht have submitted a $5m bid to FC Midtjylland to snap Paul Onuachu from Club Brugge’s grasp.

Onuachu, scored 22 goals in all competitions for FC Midtjylland last season before representing Nigeria at #AFCON2019

Is he Nigeria’s next number 9??#brilafm #brilasports pic.twitter.com/pqNb00OHGZ

— Sports Radio 88.9 Brila FM (@Brilafm889) July 26, 2019

The interests and offers have been well earned, though, as the former FC Ebedei forward banged in 22 goals in all competition last term.

Swansea would be stupid to miss out on Paul Onuachu if McBurnie leaves. 25-year-old striker from Midjtylland who scored 17 goals in the Superliga last season. Available for $5m

— theo (@scfctheo) July 28, 2019

A new offer from any of the two Belgian sides may see the 2m tall target man move to the Jupiler League soon.

Jamilu Collins, Paderborn to Besiktas

The 24-year-old played a major role in his club Paderborn 07’s dramatic promotion to the German Bundesliga last term.

As if that had not boosted his profile well enough, the left-back was then listed in and became an integral part of the Super Eagles squad that won a bronze medal at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

https://www.twitter.com/Brilafm889/status/1155728248128585729

Clubs from Turkey, England and France have been reported to be in the hunt for the defender, with Besiktas believed to be leading the race for Collins’ signature.

Besiktas have submitted a bid for SC Paderborn’s 24-year old left-back Jamilu Collins. (TRT Spor) pic.twitter.com/Z8YCm1bvm2

— Besiktas Talk (@BesiktasTalk) July 28, 2019

Joining the Turkish giants will afford the young Nigerian a chance to feature in the UEFA Champions League, a factor that may prove key in his transfer decision.

Emmanuel Dennis, Club Brugge to Zenit Saint Petersburg

The 21-year-old has been at the center of intense transfer negotiations between the two top clubs, with the Belgian giants rejecting a reported 8 million euros for the Nigerian forward.

https://www.twitter.com/EaglesTrackerNG/status/1155530248919887872

Dennis only cost Brugge 1.3 million euros when joining from Ukrainian side Zorya two years ago, but 18 goals, 8 assists and a string of man-of-the-match performances in 71 appearances as driven his value northwards. The Russian champions may need to raise the bar to 12 million to convince Brugge to sell a prized asset.

Victor Osimhen, FC Charleroi to Lille

Just days after making his loan move to the Belgian side permanent, the former U-17 World Cup star may be on the move again.

After enduring a difficult time at Wolfsburg, the Chile 2015 Golden Ball winner truly blossomed in Belgium where his astonishing finishing abilities cut him out as a star to watch.

Lille are in the process of finalizing the minor details relating to a €12m + €2m in bonuses deal with Belgian side Charleroi for 20-year-old Nigerian attacker Victor Osimhen.

Should Osimhen move to Lille or remain in Belgium??#brilafm #brilasports #osimhen #football pic.twitter.com/gb4bCoN77J

— Sports Radio 88.9 Brila FM (@Brilafm889) July 24, 2019

His 20 goals in 36 matches in just his first season in Belgium earned him a spot in the Super Eagles bronze-winning squad to AFCON 2019 and a 12-million-euros bid from the French side.

20-year-old Nigerian attacker Victor Osimhen will undergo a medical with Lille on Tuesday or Wednesday after Charleroi accepted a €12m excluding bonuses bid https://t.co/BPbrmwB1p8

— Get French Football News (@GFFN) July 28, 2019

Osimhen should have his medicals and ink the dotted lines for Lille soon, to open a new chapter in a career destined for the top.