Nigerian Players Transfer Round Up: Simy on Udinese Radar

July 9, 2021 Stan

This is Soccernet.ng’s daily round-up of all the transfer news, confirmed moves, rumours and speculations surrounding Nigerian footballers. Check back every day to stay informed.

Thursday, July 8

The summer transfer window has officially opened, and some Nigerian players have changed clubs ahead of the new season.

While there hasn’t been any major move like the one that took Victor Osimhen to Napoli last season, there’ve been some surprising transfers.

One of Nigeria’s best players last season, Simy Nwankwo, could be set for a move to Udinese. The 29-year-old is an option for the White and Blacks, who are looking to bolster their attacking options ahead of the new season.

Simy suffered the disappointment of relegation with Crotone last season, but he’s expected to leave the club after scoring 20 league goals.

In another transfer news, Super Eagles target and invitee Michael Olise has reportedly joined Crystal Palace from Reading. The Eagles have signed the youngster on a four-year deal, with an official announcement expected soon.

Olise’s move to Selhurst Park will see him link up with another Nigerian national team target Eberechi Eze under Patrick Viera, who is the new Crystal Palace coach.

Former Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi has left Stoke City just weeks after signing a new one-year contract extension at the club.

The Chelsea legend has left the Bet 365 stadium to sign a one-year deal with Kuwait Sporting Club in the middle east.

https://twitter.com/kuwaitclub/status/1410658049128386569?s=1006

Super Eagles right-back Tyronne Ebuehi joined Serie A new boys Venezia FC on a season-long loan deal from Benfica with an option to buy permanently.

It’s the second consecutive loan spell for Ebuehi after his impressive stint with FC Twente in the just-concluded season.

Ebuehi is not the only Nigerian that completed a loan move to a new club. Cologne flop Toluwalase Emmanuel Arokodare also joined Ligue 2 side Amiens on a two-year loan deal from Valmeiras with an option to sign permanently.

Other deals include Emmanuel Dennis transfer from Club Brugge to Watford. The 23-year-old joined the newly-promoted Premier League side after a disappointing season in Belgium and Germany.

Meanwhile, Victor Moses has joined Spartak Moscow on a permanent deal after spending the just-concluded season on a loan deal from Chelsea.

Also, Slavia Prague have completed the signing of former Nigerian U-23 star Ubong Moses Ekpai on a three-year deal.

Ekpai joins Peter Olayinka, who is the other Nigerian star at the club.

Meanwhile, Frank Onyeka is close to joining Premier League new boys Brentford from FC Midtjylland, subject to a work permit.

Borussia Dortmund are targeting British-Nigerian youngster Noni Madueke as a potential replacement for Jadon Sancho, while former Arsenal player Chuks Aneke joined Birmingham City on a two-year deal.

In other transfer rumours, Tottenham Hotspur are interested in Victor Osimhen as a potential replacement for Harry Kane, but the Nigerian international and Napoli have an understanding that he’s not going anywhere.

Meanwhile, Sadiq Umar is also a transfer target for several clubs in Europe after a brilliant campaign with Almeria.

Henry Onyekuru is on the verge of rejoining Galatasaray from Monaco despite interest from Greek Champions Olympiacos.

Taiwo Awoniyi could also leave Liverpool permanently with many clubs in the Championship interested in his services.

Paul Onuachu has also been linked with a big-money move to Watford. The 27-year-old is expected to leave Genk after a record-breaking season, and Watford are among the clubs monitoring his situation.

Watford are not the only Premier League club interested in his services, as Arsenal are also reportedly monitoring his situation.

The Gunners are considering signing the former Midtjylland striker as a potential replacement for Eddie Nketiah.

Olise’s move to Selhurst Park will see him link up with another Nigerian national team target Eberechi Eze under Patrick Viera, who is the new Crystal Palace coach.

Meanwhile, Kelechi Iheanacho could leave Leicester City even though he just signed a new contract that keeps at the club until 2024.

The Foxes just signed Patson Daka from RB Salzburg, which increases competition for places in Leicester’s attack. Leicester could also consider selling the Nigerian to recoup part of the money they spent on Daka.

In Spain, reports say that La Liga champions Atletico Madrid could make a cash plus player offer to Villarreal for the services of Super Eagles winger Samuel Chukwueze.

Chukwueze has a 100m euros release clause, but Los Rojiblancos hope to pay less and offer a player to the Yellow Submarines.

In other transfer news, Nigerian youngster Keleb Nwubani has signed his first professional contract with German side TuS Erndtebrück in the Oberliga Westfalen.