The The January transfer window opens today and just as in 2022 many Nigerian players moved to different clubs, the same is expected in 2023, and in anticipation of this, PUNCH Extra Sports check out the top five Eagles stars who have been linked with departures from their current clubs.
samuel chukwueze
Chukwueze’s irregular stint in the 2022/23 season with Villareal could make him advise considering an offer to another club where he could get more playing time.
The Nigeria international has notched a minimum of one goal and one assist in 14 league appearances for the Yellow Submarine this season.
The 23-year-old finally ended his eight-month goal drought when he scored his first La Liga goal in Villareal’s 2-1 home win against Valencia on Saturday.
Liverpool and West Ham are two Premier League clubs that have shown interest in signing the Nigerian striker, but Chukwueze should move to a club that can secure him regular playing time.
Also, with the return of Moses Simon and the current form of Ademola Lookman in the Super Eagles, Chukwueze might have to move to a club where he can play more games to guarantee his place in the national team.
maduka okoye
Okoye has fallen out of favor both at club and country. For the Eagles, he is behind Francis Uzoho in the pecking order and at Watford, the 23-year-old has struggled for minutes to find the more experienced Austrian international, Daniel Bachmann, more favored behind the Hornets’ backroom.
Okoye has now admitted that he is open to a loan to the Dutch Eredivisie; “We’ll see what happens. My contract is until 2027, so anything is possible. Maybe they’ll rent me, or not, I don’t know yet,” Okoye told Voetbal Primeur.
“The Eredivisie? Yeah, that sounds like something to me. The clubs in the Netherlands know me well from Sparta and they know what they can do with me. We’ll see. For now I am focusing completely on Watford and the games we are going to play.
samuel kalu
Kalu has struggled for minutes since his move in the winter transfer window in 2022 and signs show no change anytime soon. Kalu joined Watford in January from Bordeaux for €3.00m, but the Nigerian has struggled so far at the club. The Nigeria international made just four league appearances for the club last season and has yet to start a single game this season.
The fast winger who finished as the best African dribbler in Europe last season might need to find a new club to turn his fortunes around as even the Super Eagles have lost faith in him as he didn’t play a single game for Nigeria in 2022. with his last outing in green and white with former Eagles coach Gernot Rohr.
Hello Aina
Aina has been linked with a departure for Torino from Serie A since the summer 2022 transfer window and it now looks like the winter 2023 window will see the Super Eagles defender move on.
EPL club West Ham received suggestions to make another attempt to sign the Torino fullback during the January window as the Hammers struggle with their defense and will need reinforcements ahead of the crucial second half of the season. The Hammers made a move for Aina late in the summer but ultimately failed in that effort as Torino refused to part ways with the Nigeria international but remains linked to West Ham and Leeds.
Kelechi Ihenanacho
After a poor run in the EPL with Leicester City in the 2022/23 season, Super Eagles striker Kelechi Iheanacho could move away from the King Power Stadium, where he can play regularly.
Iheanacho joined Leicester City in 2017 after failing to play regularly for Manchester City under Pep Guardiola and that forced his release from the Etihad.
The 26-year-old put in a strong performance in the 2021/22 season, scoring eight goals and contributing nine assists in 43 appearances in all competitions, but the Nigerian international has struggled to replicate last season’s performance, as He has only scored one goal. and he provided one assist in 15 appearances in the first half of the 2022/23 season.
Iheanacho last scored for the Foxes in their 5-2 win over Brighton & Hove Albion in September 2022 and could take advantage of the January transfer window to move to a new club where he can play regularly and have more chances to score goals. .
