After one of the most prolonged transfer windows in recent memory, no thanks to COVID-19 at all, it’s transfer deadline day yet again.
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Last-minute moves. Unexpected signings. Rush hour deals. Expect the likes and more during the next few hours as clubs hurry to get new players and dispose of unwanted ones.
A few Nigerian stars have already made eye-catching moves this summer, not the least of which was Victor Osimhen’s multi-million euros transfer to Napoli from Lille.
Nantes made Moses Simon’s loan deal permanent, while Watford only recently signed William Troost-Ekong from Udinese.
There are, however, a few Nigerian stars who are still likely to change clubs on transfer deadline, and here are Soccernet.ng‘s top five.
Henry Onyekuru, Monaco to Galatasaray/Besiktas
Despite assurances from Monaco boss Niko Kovac that the Nigeria international remains a crucial part of his plans this term, Henry Onyekuru continues to be linked with a move back to Turkey.
It has not helped matters that the 23-year-old has played just eight minutes of Monaco’s last three games, and he did not even make the squad that lost 0-1 at Brest on Sunday.
Onyekuru’s absence has fuelled the rumour mills the more, with Galatasaray reportedly keen on securing another loan deal for the Super Eagles ace on transfer deadline day.
Besiktas have also emerged as a possible destination, should Monaco be interested in a temporary switch.
Umar Sadiq, Partizan to Almeria
It has been a sensational last fourteen months for Umar Sadiq in Serbia, where he has become the club’s standout performer and a consistent goalscoring machine.
The 23-year-old former Roma forward has netted 23 goals and supplied another 19 assists in 51 games for Partizan to boost his credibility as a top marksman.
And that is exactly what Almeria are searching for in the market, with the Spanish second division side reportedly close to breaking their transfer record in signing the Nigerian striker.
Jamilu Collins, Paderborn to Union Berlin
Jamilu Collins was undoubtedly one of Paderborn’s most efficient performers during their ill-fated Bundesliga sojourn last season.
And it is almost unbelievable that no club has swooped in to snatch the Super Eagles defender away from the grasps of the German side.
Collins has not been short of admirers, with Newcastle and Union Berlin two of the clubs with the 26-year-old fullback in their radars.
He has not featured in any of Paderborn’s Bundesliga 2 matches so far this campaign and wasn’t listed in the squad that drew 0-0 at Heidenheim at the weekend.
It would, therefore, not be a surprise to see Collins seal a move away from the German lower league in the next few hours.
Emmanuel Dennis, Club Brugge to Sheffield United
One player who has been continuously linked with a move away from Belgium this summer is Emmanuel Dennis.
The Nigerian youngster shot to global prominence last term after scoring a brace against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu in the Champions League and helping Brugge to glory in the Jupiler Pro League.
Borussia Dortmund, Atalanta, Bayer Leverkusen, Sheffield United, and Arsenal are just a few of the clubs that were reportedly keen on his services. Still, none has coughed out the mega-millions demanded by Brugge.
Sheffield United could still be forced to splash the cash to sign Dennis, though, with the Premier League club showing little attacking verve in their opening league games of the season.
Kenneth Omeruo, Leganes to Turkey
Kenneth Omeruo only joined Leganes on a permanent deal last summer after first impressing on loan for the Cucumber Growers.
But the last campaign ended on a sour note for club and player as they were relegated to the lower level on the final day of the season.
The 2013 African Cup of Nations winner is not particularly keen on playing in the Segunda Division as this may affect his first-team chances in the Super Eagles, especially with his main rivals – West Brom’s Semi Ajayi and Hoffenheim’s Kevin Akpoguma – featuring consistently in the top division in England and Germany.
Leganes want €7 million for the man they got for €5 million just over a year ago, but none of Omeruo’s Turkish suitors can part with such amount under the current economic conditions.
A loan move is, however, still a possibility heading to the last few hours of another intriguing transfer deadline day.
