Transfer deadline day: Top five Nigerian players to still make club switch

Nigerian players have been on the move from one club to another since the beginning of this summer transfer window, and more are still expected to change their clubs before the end of today 

The 2023 summer transfer window has witnessed some Nigerian players move to new clubs, with the likes of Samuel Chukwueze, Victor Boniface, Peter Olayinka, Chidera Ejuke, Akor Adams, and Kenneth Omeruo to mention a few all beginning a new life elsewhere from the teams they ended last campaign with.

And ahead of the window which is set to close on Friday, September 1st, Soccernet.ng takes a look at Nigerian players who are still expected to be on the move this summer.

Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England)

The 26-year-old has been linked with a summer transfer following Leicester City’s relegation from the Premier League last term. And a move back to the Premier League is his likely next destination as per multiple reports saying Nottingham Forest, Wolves, and Crystal Palace have shown interest in the Nigerian forward.

While the likes of Nottingham and Wolves have been ruled out of the race in recent days, Iheanacho is now strongly linked with a late summer move to London side, Crystal Palace.

The Eagles are close to reaching an agreement with Leicester as reported yesterday and they are willing to pay close to the £18m price tag the Foxes have placed on the Nigerian striker.

Roy Hodgson’s side are looking to add firepower to their attacking ranks after they managed just two goals in their three opening Premier League games.

With his contract set to expire next summer, the East Midlands are aware they might need to cut-price deal in this window to avoid losing him for nothing at the end of the season.

He has managed 56 goals in 211 appearances in all competitions in his seven years at the club since joining from Manchester City in 2017.

Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England)

The 26-year-old has also been linked with a move from the King Power Stadium with multiple reports saying that Nottingham Forest have agreed to personal terms with the Nigerian midfielder.

The Tricky Trees have reportedly presented an opening bid to Leicester, and negotiations have started between the two clubs.

Another report suggests Liverpool are preparing a late offer for Ndidi to replace Fabinho, who moved to Saudi Arabia this window.

Leicester are willing to do business after they have brought in Harry Winks and Cesare Casadei, and they could now allow Ndidi to depart the club, although only time will tell which club he will end up with by the close of the window on Friday (Today)

Alex Iwobi (Everton, England,)

The 27-year-old is expected to leave Everton before Friday’s deadline after talks to open negotiations with the club on extending his contract have been stalled for months.

With reports suggesting London side Fulham have opened talks with Everton over the signing of the Super Eagles midfielder.

The Cottagers are keen to bolster their attack following the £46m departure of Serbian International Aleksandar Mitrovic to Saudi Arabia.

If he eventually joins the West London club, he will become a teammate with Calvin Bassey who signed for Fulham from Ajax earlier in the summer.

Gift Orban (Gent, Belgium)

The 21-year-old is one of the Nigerian players still expected to make a late move in the window with reports suggesting a Premier League bus stop.

After being linked for weeks with a move to replace Harry Kane at Tottenham Hotspur, there could be still more twists in deciding the future of the Nigerian striker before the end of today.

Fulham have reportedly joined the race to sign the Nigerian striker after the departure of Aleksandar Mitrovic to Saudi Arabia, with reports suggesting they are willing to match the £30m Gent are asking for his transfer.

The Nigerian International is one of the hotcakes in Europe right now after a remarkable stat for his Belgian club that has seen him score 26 goals from 28 appearances since he joined them from Stabeak in January.

Gent will be looking to cash in on him now that his price has massively soared high considering just £3.3m they paid to Stabeak for his services in February.

Emmanuel Dennis ( Nottingham Forest, England)

The 25-year-old might be making another summer move before the end of the day with reports linking the forward with an exit from the City Ground just a year after he signed for them.

It has been reported that Dennis is on Leeds ‘list of primary targets’ this summer as they seek an alternative to Patrick Bamford who struggled with injury and form last campaign, and Rodrigo may well be on the move following their relegation.

Another report revealed a few days ago that Serie A side Udinese have reached an agreement with Nottingham for the Nigerian attacker.

Forest pounced to land Dennis in a £20m swoop last summer after an impressive season with Watford, when he bagged 10 goals and 6 assists in 33 Premier League games before their relegation at the end of the 2021/22 season.

He wasn’t able to replicate the same numbers for Forest last campaign, managing just 2 goals and 2 assists in 19 appearances.