As the 2023/24 football season wraps up across Europe, the transfer window is about to open. Several Nigerian players have stood out, attracting interest from top clubs.
Soccernet.ng‘s Imhons Erons looks at seven Nigerian stars who might secure big-money moves this summer.
7. Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Hatayspor
Dele-Bashiru is set to join SS Lazio in Italy for €7 million, the biggest move of his career. A former Manchester City academy player, he joined Sheffield Wednesday in 2020 and moved to Turkey last year.
At Hatayspor, he became a key midfielder, scoring eight goals and making five assists in 36 games. The 23-year-old also made his international debut for Nigeria recently, scoring a crucial goal against South Africa in a World Cup qualifier.
6. Philip Otele, CFR Cluj
Otele was a standout in Romania’s Superliga with CFR Cluj. The 25-year-old left winger scored 18 goals and provided eight assists in 45 games.
Brighton and Brentford are reportedly interested in bringing him to the Premier League, an opportunity he is likely to seize.
5. Bright Osayi-Samuel, Fenerbahce
Osayi-Samuel helped Fenerbahce win the Turkish Cup and had a strong season despite missing out on the league title. He is keen on a move back to England to play in the Premier League.
Crystal Palace and Wolves are potential destinations, and a return to England seems likely despite Jose Mourinho’s arrival at Fenerbahce.
4. Raphael Onyedika, Club Brugge
Onyedika’s season improved significantly after the Africa Cup of Nations. He played a key role in Club Brugge’s league title win, scoring three crucial goals.
The 23-year-old is attracting interest from Premier League clubs including Crystal Palace, Everton, and Nottingham Forest. Brugge, who signed him for nearly €10 million in 2022, expect to sell him for almost double that amount.
3. Ademola Lookman, Atalanta
Lookman had an exceptional season with Atalanta, playing a key role in their Coppa Italia and Europa League campaigns, and helping them qualify for the Champions League.
The 26-year-old winger scored a hat-trick in the Europa League final and is attracting interest from German giants Bayern Munich.
2. Victor Boniface, Bayer Leverkusen
Boniface, who joined Bayer Leverkusen last summer, had a remarkable season. He won the Rookie of the Year award and was named in the Bundesliga Team of the Season.
His performances have drawn interest from Premier League and Serie A clubs, with Juventus leading the chase. Despite his desire to stay, Leverkusen may sell him if a significant offer comes in.
1. Victor Osimhen, Napoli
Osimhen, Nigeria’s top star and the reigning African Footballer of the Year, is expected to leave Napoli after helping them win the Scudetto last year.
Offers of around €130 million have come from Saudi Arabian clubs, but Osimhen prefers the Premier League, with Arsenal and Chelsea as possible destinations. Paris Saint-Germain might also be an option if English clubs do not meet his release clause.
