AC Milan target exciting Nigerian teenager on Chelsea’s radar

Italian Serie A giants AC Milan have entered the growing European chase for Nigerian wonderkid Sani Suleiman, Soccernet.ng reports.

Milan join Chelsea, Tottenham and a long list of clubs closely monitoring the highly rated Flying Eagles winger ahead of the January transfer window.

The 19-year-old has become one of the most heavily scouted young Africans in Europe this season, with his rapid rise at AS Trenčín and his standout displays at the FIFA U-20 World Cup drawing widespread attention.

TEAMtalk reports that Milan are the latest major side to register concrete interest, putting the Serie A giants in direct competition with some of England’s biggest clubs.

Suleiman’s performances in the Slovak top flight have been consistently impressive, but it was at the U-20 World Cup where he truly announced himself. Despite Nigeria’s exit at the round-of-16 stage against Argentina, the teenager’s pace, intelligence in possession, and attacking confidence made him one of the tournament’s breakout talents.

With scouts from multiple big-five leagues present throughout the competition, his name began appearing prominently in recruitment reports from North London to Milan.

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The interest ballooned further after a recent CIES Football Observatory study ranked Suleiman the most creative U-21 player in the world for penetrative passes in the final third; averaging 2.52 per 90 minutes.

That metric, which measures passes that break through three or fewer opponents, placed him above emerging talents across 50 global leagues and solidified his reputation as one of Europe’s most productive young creators.

Chelsea, Tottenham, Brentford, Rangers, Ajax, PSV, PSG, Royal Antwerp and Bundesliga clubs have all tracked his progress, while Middlesbrough reportedly made contact with Trenčín last week regarding a January move.

AS Trenčín hold a two-year extension option on the Nigerian’s deal, which currently runs until 2026, but the overwhelming demand has forced the Slovakian side to consider a mid-season sale. The club are believed to be assessing multiple proposals, keeping potential destinations confidential as talks advance.

Suleiman’s camp, meanwhile, is prioritising a club that can guarantee a clear development pathway rather than simply a high-profile badge. Milan are thought to view him as a long-term project with immediate first-team potential, while Chelsea and Tottenham see an opportunity to secure one of Africa’s fastest-rising prospects before his valuation spikes.

The youngster’s trajectory has been steep. Since leaving Akwa United just over a year ago, where he won the NPFL Rookie of the Season, he has transformed into the creative heartbeat of Trenčín’s midfield, delivering final-third supply whether operating wide, centrally, or in deeper orchestration roles.

With January nearing, Suleiman has become one of the most sought-after teenagers in world football. The next few weeks will determine whether his immediate future lies in London, Milan, or another ambitious European destination hoping to win the signature of Nigeria’s latest rising star.