The winter transfer window is already upon us. We have so far seen a few sensational moves including Villarreal’s €3m swoop of Etienne Capoue from Watford on New’s Year day, Dominik Szoboszlai’s €20 million transfer from Salzburg to sister-club RB Leipzig and some other deals, which though have been agreed last summer, only came into fruition on the first day of the year.
From a Nigerian perspective, one would be none too pleased at the close of market activities by month-end if certain Super Eagles stars – especially the free agents – do not secure a top move that can considerably bring back that vibe that engulfed the Nigerian media space when Odion Ighalo joined Manchester United on loan last January.
NetBet Nigeria, today, highlights five Nigerian players who should, in coming days, earn a transfer in this winter window.
- Ahmed Musa
The Super Eagles captain was released by Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr in October and has since been without a club.
He is quite keen on securing a free transfer to a topflight side in Europe as he recently played down a link with a move to Championship side Sheffield Wednesday. He has also reportedly turned down a chance to play in the United States’ Major League Soccer (MLS).
Meanwhile, a return to his former club CSKA Moscow, where he indeed enjoyed the biggest success of his club career yet, or a move to either of two Turkish giant sides Galatasary or Fenerbahce could be on the cards for the 28-year-old as he carefully weighs his options.
- Henry Onyekuru
The former KAS Eupen forward has lately found game time hard to come by this season under Niko Kovac at AS Monaco. He has played just four games (two starts) this term and it is worthy to note that all his appearances came in only August and September – just around the start of the Ligue 1 season. In fact, the last time he made the matchday squad for Les Monégasques was on November 1.
The 23-year-old is now ‘definitely’ moving away from the Principality side this January but it may be on loan. He has been linked with what will be a third loan spell at Galatasary.
- Jamilu Collins
The left-back is another Nigerian player poised to force a move away from his current side this window.
Collins has managed just eight appearances for Padeborn this season, with his last coming as a late substitute in their 2-2 draw with Eintracht Braunschweig on December 16. The 26-year-old defender is said to be unhappy with the current predicament of the club after a poor start to their campaign in the German second division – presently placed 13th after 14 round of matches in 2. Bundesliga – and is seeking a way out of the ‘crisis’.
He is already in the final six months of his contract and it’s quite understandable that Paderborn will be looking to cash in on the player this January.
- John Ogu
The midfielder has been without club since he announced his exit from Saudi Pro League side Al-Adalah last September. He played just 7 games for a lowly Saudi side – a club he joined only last January.
The coronavirus border restrictions in Nigeria earlier in the year ensured that he could not get a plane ticket back to his club ahead of their league restart, and thus could not honour the remaining part of his six-month contract, talkless of getting an extension.
The winter window offers him an opportunity to get back on track, and possibly, return to Europe.
- Josh Maja
Struggling Premier League side Sheffield United are, according to multiple reports, eyeing a move for the 22-year-old striker this January.
It also appears that Bordeaux will be willing to listen to offers for the Nigerian international, who has made 15 appearances for them this season, scoring twice. The Girondins manager Jean Louis Gasset seems to not entirely trust the forward and could assent to his transfer if the club’s valuation is met.
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