Premier League newcomers Hull City have entered the race to sign Nigeria-eligible German forward Justin Njinmah from Bundesliga side Werder Bremen, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 25-year-old attacker is also attracting interest from England, with EFL Championship side Southampton also monitoring his situation ahead of the summer transfer window.
According to Bild, Njinmah could be on the move this summer despite Werder Bremen's desire to retain him. With his contract situation becoming an important consideration, the German club may be tempted to cash in if a suitable offer arrives. He currently has one year left on his deal at the Weserstadion.
The Hamburg-born forward enjoyed another productive campaign in the Bundesliga, registering important contributions for Die Werderaner in a largely turbulent season that ended with Daniel Thioune as their head coach.
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Capable of operating on either flank or through the middle, Njinmah has scored 14 goals and provided four assists in 84 Bundesliga appearances since establishing himself in Bremen's first team.
The former Borussia Dortmund youth player has previously attracted interest from some of Europe's top clubs. Napoli explored a deal worth up to €10 million earlier this year, while AS Roma were also linked with the forward in previous transfer windows.
Hull City and Southampton to battle for Justin Njinmah
Hull City's promotion to the Premier League has significantly boosted their ambitions in the transfer market, and Njinmah is believed to fit the profile of a player the Tigers are seeking.
However, Southampton are also firmly in the race. The Saints have developed a growing reputation for recruiting talent from Germany, with technical director Johannes Spors previously overseeing several deals involving Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga players.
Southampton are expected to strengthen their attacking options this summer, and Njinmah's pace and versatility make him an attractive option.
With Werder Bremen open to selling the player for the right fee, both English clubs could be set for a transfer battle in the coming weeks.
Super Eagles: Can Njinmah play for Nigeria?
Despite representing no country at senior international level, Njinmah remains eligible to play for Nigeria through his family heritage.
The forward has previously admitted that representing the Super Eagles would be a serious consideration if an invitation arrives from the Nigeria Football Federation.
Speaking last year, Njinmah revealed that interest from Nigeria motivates him to improve further, although he also admitted that playing for Germany remains one of his ambitions.
“I know I'm being looked at by Nigeria, of course, but I can only decide when I get an invitation. Then I really would have to weigh up exactly,” the striker previously said.
The Super Eagles currently boast strong attacking options, including Victor Osimhen, Victor Boniface, Tolu Arokodare and Akor Adams, but Njinmah's versatility could make him an interesting option for head coach Eric Chelle in the future.
For now, however, the immediate focus appears to be on his club future, with Hull City and Southampton both hoping to lure the Nigeria-eligible attacker to the attractive environment of English football.
