ON THE MOVE: 10 Super Eagles Set For 2016/2017 European Transfers

With barely six weeks to the start of the new European league season, several Nigerian players are poised to make transfer moves. These are the 10 possible moves involving Nigerian players that could happen this summer across Europe…

 1. Odion IGHALO  (27, forward, Watford)

Only Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy, Romelu Lukaku and Sergio Aguero scored more in the Premier League last season than the Nigerian international’s 15 goals.

The 27-year-old who was top scorer for Watford last season saw a £38m offer for him rejected by the club from Shanghai SIPG. With skipper Troy Deeney penning a contract extension at the club and the Hornets breaking the club’s transfer record to land Isaac Success from Granada for £12.5m, a mammoth offer for Ighalo could lure him away from Vicarage Road.

He has scored 37 goals in 63 appearances since joining Watford from Spanish side Granada in May 2014.

2. MIKEL Obi (29, midfielder, Chelsea)

Undoubtedly, Mikel Obi is one of the most successful football players to come out of Nigeria over the past decade.

Mikel has spent ten years at Chelsea but could be on the move with media reports claiming new Blues boss, Antonio Conte, is in search for a new midfield anchor who can cover the yards on the pitch. The Nigeria captain’s days may be numbered at Cobhams.

He has since been linked with several teams in Turkey, Italy and China.

3. Kenneth OMERUO (22, defender, Chelsea)

Barring any last minute move, Omeruo looks destined to spend another season away from Chelsea following spells at Ado Den Haag, Middlesbrough and Kasimpasa.

The 22-year-old who joined Chelsea from Standard Liege in 2012, is yet to play for the Blues and has been repprted to have agreed another loan move to Turkish champions Besiktas.

His inclusion in Nigeria’s 35-man provisional squad for the 2016 Summer Olympics could also hamper his chances of staying at Stamford Bridge.

4. Victor MOSES (25, winger, Chelsea)

A fresh start away from Chelsea permanently could just be the answer to the resurgence needed byVictor Moses.

The Nigerian winger signed by Roberto Di Matteo in 2012, has spent the last three seasons at different clubs (Liverpool, Stoke City and West Ham) on loan from Stamford Bridge.

And with the competition for places on the flanks at Chelsea likely to limit his first team chances at Stamford Bridge, the former Wigan Athletic star could be on the move again. The 25-year-old is yet to establish himself at Chelsea, despite signing a new four-year contract last season before his loan move.

5. Victor ANICHEBE (28, forward, Free Agent)

Victor Anichebe is in search of a new club after he announced his exit from West Brom in May.

The Nigerian striker struggled to hold down a regular place in the squad due to injury and started only three Premier League games last season. Albion paid Everton £6m for the 28-year-old striker in September 2013, but his Baggies career has been plagued with injuries. Anichebe who scored nine goals in 63 games for the Baggies in three years, turned down several offers from Championship teams in January. It remains to be seen where he will play in the coming season.

6. Sone Aluko (27, forward, Free Agent)

Super Eagles midfielder, Sone Aluko, ended his four-year romance with Hull City at the summer after being released.

The 27-year-old scored three goals in 31 appearances for the Tigers last term to earn his second promotion medal with the club, but a lack of regular football hampered any prospect of returning to the Premier League with the club next term.

Aluko is unlikely to be short on offers if interest during the January transfer window is a guide. Leeds and Fulham were among the teams that were rebuffed by the Tigers recently. The forward leaves the KC Stadium after making 108 appearances and scoring 15 goals.

7. Osaze ODEMWINGIE (34, forward, Free Agent)

Former Super Eagles striker Osaze Odemwingie was one of the high-profile players released by Stoke City on his return from a loan spell at Championship side Bristol City from Stoke City.

Odemwingie will fancy a move to any Championship side though the summer splurge from China could well attract him.

8.  Chinedu OBASI (30, forward, Free Agent)

Former Schalke 04 winger, Chinedu Obasi, could return to football for after a year out.

The 30-year-old is currently at Norwegian side, Lillestrom, with the hope of landing a deal. He previously played for Lyn Oslo in 2005 before he moved to TSG 1899 Hoffenheim where he scored 25 goals in 91 appearances.

9. Ramon AZEEZ (24, Midfielder, Almeria)

After featuring for the Super Eagles at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, the career of Ramon Azeez at Almeria seems to have nose-dived. The highly rated Azeez who was linked with a move to Swansea two years back could only manage a handful of games for Almeria who survived the drop to the third tier division on the last day of the league with a draw.

10. Chisom CHIKATARA (22 Forward,Abia Warriors)

Abia Warriors’ Chisom Chikatara’s botched move to Moroccan champions Wydad Casablanca this summer has seen him linked with several European teams.

Chikatara who has scored four goals in the Nigerian league this season will be heading to a club in Europe according to the legal adviser of the club Johnny Ogbah.

Source: Complete Sports Nigeria