Super Eagles midfielder Tochukwu Nnadi has become the subject of fresh transfer interest after two Premier League clubs reportedly made offers to sign him from French giants Marseille ahead of next season, Soccernet.ng reports.
Despite the approaches from England, the 22-year-old is now believed to be leaning towards staying in France to continue his development.
Reports from Marseille suggest Nnadi's future has changed direction over the past few weeks. Earlier in the year, the Nigerian midfielder was thought to be seriously considering leaving the Ligue 1 club after a difficult first six months. During parts of last season, he struggled for regular playing time and was even left out of several matchday squads, making it hard for him to prove himself.
The situation became even more frustrating because he reportedly had opportunities to join clubs in England during the January transfer window before joining Marseille. Those clubs were not among the Premier League's biggest names, but they could have offered him regular football and a chance to attract attention from top-flight teams. Instead, he moved to Marseille, hoping for more chances.
Things began to improve towards the end of the campaign. Nnadi received more opportunities on the pitch and impressed with his energy, ball-winning ability and composure in midfield. Those performances helped increase his value and caught the attention of clubs in England, leading to two fresh offers this summer.
However, it is now believed that Nnadi is convinced staying at Marseille is the best step for his career. Rather than pushing his representatives to secure a move to England, Nnadi has reportedly asked his agents to slow down talks with interested clubs and focus on earning an important role at the French club.
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Nnadi: Marseille's plans for the Super Eagles star
Marseille's financial situation means they are unlikely to declare any player, including Super Eagles star Nnadi, untouchable. The club is expected to sell players if attractive offers arrive, especially as it looks to balance its finances before making new signings. That means Marseille would not automatically reject bids for Nnadi if the right proposal is made.
Still, the Nigerian midfielder is not believed to be among the club's priority departures. One important reason is his salary. Nnadi is one of the lowest-paid members of the first-team squad, making him less of a financial burden than several senior players.
His future will also depend on the plans of the club's expected new coach, Bruno Genesio. The French manager is known for favouring a 4-2-3-1 formation, where defensive midfielders play a vital role. Nnadi could compete for one of those positions alongside experienced players such as Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, Geoffrey Kondogbia, Quinten Timber and Angel Gomes.
Breaking into that group will not be easy, but Nnadi believes he has a realistic chance after ending last season strongly. Instead of starting over at another club, he wants to convince the coaching staff that he deserves regular minutes in Marseille.
The coming weeks will be crucial. Marseille must reduce the size of their squad while preparing for another demanding Ligue 1 campaign and European competition. At the same time, Premier League clubs remain interested in Nnadi's progress. If a bigger offer arrives later in the transfer window, the situation could change again.
At the moment, though, the Super Eagles midfielder appears ready to reject the temptation of England and fight for his place at one of France's biggest clubs.
