The football season across the globe is preparing to come to a close in the coming weeks, meaning the transfer mill is starting to churn out rumours linking players to potential new clubs ahead of the summer window.
In this article, we focus on the Nigerian stars who look most likely to make a move from their respective clubs after impressing throughout this season:
1 – Victor Osimhen
After an outstanding last season that saw Osimhen lead Napoli to an historic first Serie A title in 33, years many thought the striker was sure to leave during the summer window, but Osimhen stayed at the club for another season.
Napoli have struggled to replicate the same quality they produced last season, moving into the final stages of this term in ninth place and looking unlikely to even finish in any of the European places.
This is likely to end up in some of their top stars wanting moves away for clubs competing in Europe’s top tier competition, including Osimhen who is sure to make his long-awaited transfer.
The strongest rumours see the striker linked heavily with a move to England, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United all reportedly looking for a big-name striker signing during the summer. Paris Saint-Germain are arguably the favourites for the Nigerian’s signature though, with the French giants looking to replace Kylian Mbappe as the forward prepares for his free transfer away from the club.
2 – Kelechi Iheanacho
Iheanacho is another that was expected to depart from his club during the previous summer window after Leicester City were shockingly relegated from the English Premier League after an extremely underwhelming season.
The striker’s appearances have been limited throughout Leicester’s title-winning campaign in the Championship, making just 22 appearances and only 10 of these being starts, leaving the forward likely to leave in the summer with his contract coming to an end.
Several Turkish clubs, including Galatasaray, Fenerbahce and Besiktas, are reportedly showing strong interest in Iheanacho, but the forward is believed to prefer a move back to the Premier League.
Crystal Palace, who are said to be actively scouting Super Eagles talents ahead of the new season, are keen to add Iheanacho to their attacking roster, giving the forward a chance to return to the Premier League.
3 – Terem Moffi
According to reports in Italy, Napoli are looking to replace the departing Osimhen with another Super Eagles star in current Nice striker Terem Moffi.
Moffi has enjoyed a series of promising campaigns on French shores, scoring 55 goals in 139 games across his time at both Lorient and Nice, and the striker is going into the final games of the season in a fantastic run of form.
The striker has scored five in his last eight league games for his current club, helping Nice recover from a poor run of results that saw them drop out of the UEFA Champions League places over the winter months, leaving Nice in fifth place but just four points behind fourth.
4 – Stanley Nwabali
Nwabali was something of an unknown entity earlier this season, but his impressive performances for Nigeria during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations have thrown the goalkeeper into the spotlight, earning him plenty of recognition among supporters of the Super Eagles.
The 27-year-old is set to leave his current side Chippa United at the end of this season, with clubs such as Queens Park Rangers, Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, El-Ettifaq and Kaiser Chiefs all potentially looking to make a move for the new Nigerian hero.
While Nwabali has said he has not received any official offers as of yet, we expect the goalkeeper to confirm his move away from the club in the coming weeks with his signature coming as hot property following a promising season.
5 – Taiwo Awoniyi
This year has been a difficult one for both Nottingham Forest and Awoniyi, with the club being handed point deductions that have them battling against relegation as we move towards the end of the season, while Awoniyi has spent a large part of the season on the treatment table.
While these injuries and poor results from Forest have led to a decrease in productivity from the striker when playing, scoring just six times in the league compared to his 10 last season, Awoniyi has still impressed when appearing for Forest.
Forest’s possible relegation has meant sides from across Europe are scouting their best talents with the potential of acquiring them at cut prices, and Awoniyi is one that has been linked to plenty of teams. The strongest rumours see Awoniyi and West Ham United matched together, with the London club having previously tried to sign the striker during his days in Germany. The Nigerian would be a perfect match for the Hammers, providing a similar option to current striker Michail Antonio, leaving this one with real potential of taking place.
