The transfer deadline day is shaping up to be a dramatic one for several Super Eagles stars, with big moves and potential surprises unfolding across Europe.
Nigerian internationals are making headlines as clubs rush to finalise deals before the window slams shut on Monday evening, with some transfers already sealed and others still hanging in the balance. With few hours left, Bold Sports analyses the biggest Nigerian moves and the potential deals still in play as the clock ticks down.
Tolu Arokodare (Genk to Wolves)
Belgium Pro League highest goalscorer last season Tolu Arokodare is close to signing for Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers. The 24-year-old has been utilised mostly as a substitute this season but in recent days, a dream move to England has come up as an opportunity for the striker.
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Arokodare arrived in England on Sunday and there are suggestions that he has already completed his medicals ahead of the move. It is expected that the transfer will be announced by Wolves soon, officially marking the sixth summer signing for the Premier League side.
Chrisantus Uche (Getafe to Crystal Palace)
The situation of Chrisantus Uche has been one of the most intriguing to watch this window as the 22-year-old was close to joining Wolverhampton Wanderers even before Arokodare got linked, but the move failed with his representatives citing dissatisfaction with how it was handled.
Few days later, Uche was linked to Crystal Palace who have been seeking for attacking reinforcements to replace Eberechi Eze who completed a move to Arsenal earlier this summer. On Sunday, reports surprisingly revealed that Uche was already on his way to England to complete his medicals and sign the contracts to seal the move.
Although the transfer is not yet completed, it is expected that this is one that would get done in the final hours of the window. Head coach Oliver Glasner will most certainly get a new attacker and Uche would finally secure a move to the Premier League.
Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan to Fulham)
Chukwueze’s potential move to Fulham is one that seems like it has been coming as the Super Eagles winger had been linked to the Premier League side as far back as January, but that didn’t materialise at the time, with the club signing former Chelsea forward Willian instead.
However, this summer, the Cottagers are back for Chukwueze and while the deal is not yet done, there is optimism from all parties that the 26-year-old will be a Fulham player at the end of the transfer window.
Just like Arokodare and Uche, Chukwueze is already in England, but awaiting the green light from AC Milan to go for his medicals as the final details between club side is being sorted out. On player side, there is absolutely no issues as Chukwueze is eager to play with fellow Super Eagles stars Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey.
Cyriel Dessers (Rangers to Panathinaikos)
Cyriel Dessers’ potential move to Greek giants Panathinaikos is one that has gone under the radar but is close to being completed and announced as there is an agreement on both club side and player side, with no issues anticipated.
The move was confirmed by Rangers head coach Martin Russell after the Old Firm Derby which ended goalless on Sunday. The deal is expected to be worth around €5 million, with Dessers set to replace outgoing forward Fotis Ioannidis.
The 30-year-old returned to action after almost three weeks out with injury in the derby clash on Sunday, but is now expected to travel to Greece and complete the move, ending his two-year spell at Rangers.
Ademola Lookman (Atalanta to Bayern Munich)
Super Eagles winger Ademola Lookman came into the transfer window almost certain that he was going to secure a move away from Atalanta, ending an amazing three-year spell during which he led their team to their first ever Europa League title.
This was meant to be a beautiful ending to a redemption story at Bergamo, but everything has gone sour in the past few weeks. Atalanta, who value Lookman at around €50 million, have blocked moves for the Nigerian to leave, with Inter Milan — the club who came closest to signing him — eventually giving up after they saw that an agreement could not be reached.
Since then, Lookman and his representatives have been exploring several options to leave Atalanta, the latest being a loan deal to join Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich. The deal is far from done as Atalanta maintain their stance on Lookman’s valuation while preferring a loan plus obligation to buy rather than a loan plus option which is what Bayern proposed.
It remains to be seen if another team will enter the race in the final hours of the window, with Lookman still linked to Tottenham Hotspur. As such, this is one to watch until the end as there is the potential for a big opportunity for all parties to bring an end to one of the biggest sagas of the window.
Other moves to watch out for
Super Eagles striker Kelechi Iheanacho may leave Sevilla on loan just like he did in January in order to get game time as it looks as though he is currently out of favour at the La Liga side. Meanwhile, speculation continues to grow over Taiwo Awoniyi’s future as the 28-year-old may struggle to also get consistent minutes due to Forest’s attacking recruitments.
Emmanuel Dennis, who recently had his contract mutually terminated by Nottingham Forest is attracting interest from teams in Italy and Sadiq Umar is yet to play for Real Sociedad after three games this season, prompting suggestions that he may also consider leaving on loan or permanently.
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