The January switch window has opened with a number of Nigerian stars on the coronary heart of potential blockbuster strikes throughout Europe’s high leagues. From Manchester United’s pursuit of Victor Osimhen to Arsenal’s curiosity in African Footballer of The Yr Ademola Lookman, PUNCH Sports activities Additional’s PETER AKINBO examines the conditions of Tremendous Eagles gamers who could possibly be on the transfer this winter
Victor Osimhen
Manchester United have intensified their pursuit of Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, with the Crimson Devils already holding preliminary talks with Napoli over a possible January transfer.
The 26-year-old, presently on mortgage at Galatasaray, has been in scintillating type since his momentary swap to Turkey in September, netting 12 targets and offering 5 assists in simply 14 appearances throughout all competitions.
United’s new supervisor Ruben Amorim has made no secret of his dissatisfaction along with his present putting choices, notably the ending prowess of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee. The Crimson Devils’ curiosity in triggering Osimhen’s €75m launch clause underscores their willpower to deal with a goalscoring disaster that has seen them internet simply 21 instances within the Premier League this season.
Nevertheless, the potential transfer faces a number of hurdles. Galatasaray stay steadfast of their need to retain the striker till the tip of his mortgage spell, whereas Arsenal have emerged as severe contenders following Bukayo Saka’s damage setback. The Gunners view Osimhen as a great answer to their attacking wants throughout Saka’s two-month absence.
The striker himself lately addressed the hypothesis, stating, “I cannot depart in January, I’m at Galatasaray till the tip of the season.” Nevertheless, former Galatasaray coach Hamza Hamzaoğlu’s current feedback suggesting the Turkish membership can’t afford a everlasting deal have solely fueled hypothesis a few Premier League swap.
Ademola Lookman
Contemporary from being topped African Footballer of The Yr, Ademola Lookman finds himself on the centre of intense switch hypothesis regardless of Atalanta’s agency stance on preserving their talisman. The Serie A leaders’ director Tony D’Amico has categorically dominated out a January departure, however that hasn’t deterred potential suitors.
Lookman’s meteoric rise in 2024 has been nothing wanting exceptional. His stats inform the story of a participant on the peak of his powers with 11 targets and 6 assists in 20 appearances throughout all competitions this season, following a 12 months that noticed him rating three targets on the Africa Cup of Nations, internet a historic Europa League ultimate hat-trick in opposition to Bayer Leverkusen, and end 14th within the Ballon d’Or rankings.
Liverpool have been long-term admirers of the 27-year-old, whose market worth has practically doubled from €30m to €55m. Arsenal legend Ian Wright has additionally thrown his weight behind a possible transfer to the Emirates, figuring out Lookman as one in every of two ‘good’ January targets for the Gunners.
Samuel Chukwueze
AC Milan seem prepared to chop their losses on Samuel Chukwueze simply months after his €20m transfer from Villarreal. The Nigerian winger’s struggles on the San Siro have opened the door for a possible January exit, with Turkish giants Besiktas and Trabzonspor main the chase for his signature.
Regardless of having a contract till June 2028, the Rossoneri are keen to facilitate a transfer for the 25-year-old, who has failed to copy the shape that made him one in every of La Liga’s most enjoyable wingers. Turkish outlet Fanatik experiences that Chukwueze’s representatives have already supplied him to Besiktas, though the membership’s ongoing presidential elections may delay any potential switch.
The state of affairs has alerted Premier League golf equipment, with Arsenal and Aston Villa monitoring developments. Gunners supervisor Mikel Arteta sees Chukwueze as a possible substitute for the injured Saka, whereas Villa boss Unai Emery may transfer to reunite with the participant who helped him safe UEFA Europa League glory at Villarreal in 2021.
Milan are hoping to recoup a lot of the €28m they invested in buying the winger final summer time, with a return to La Liga additionally remaining a chance.
Reward Orban
In what could possibly be one of many window’s most intriguing offers, Hoffenheim have reached an settlement with Olympique Lyonnais for Reward Orban.
The 22-year-old striker has already arrived in Germany on Wednesday for his medical, doubtlessly bringing an finish to a difficult spell in France that noticed him wrestle for recreation time since his €14m transfer final January.
Lyon’s precarious monetary state of affairs, dealing with a provisional relegation to Ligue 2 imposed by the DNCG, has pressured their hand in negotiations. Hoffenheim’s bid of €10m, whereas barely under Lyon’s €12m valuation, seems ample given the circumstances.
Whereas RC Lens and Galatasaray had proven important curiosity, Orban’s imminent transfer to the Bundesliga represents a contemporary begin for a striker whose disciplinary points have overshadowed his undoubted expertise in current months.
Ola Aina
Nottingham Forest face an uphill battle to retain Ola Aina, with Manchester Metropolis figuring out the versatile defender as a possible long-term substitute for Kyle Walker. The 28-year-old has been a revelation since becoming a member of Forest on a free switch, contributing two targets in 19 league appearances whereas showcasing his capability to excel in each full-back positions.
Aina’s performances have caught the attention of Pep Guardiola, who views the previous Chelsea academy product as a great match for Metropolis’s tactical framework. Whereas Forest stay assured of finalizing a brand new long-term deal, the attract of working below Guardiola and competing for main honours may show decisive.
Galatasaray have additionally entered the race, including one other layer of complexity to Forest’s retention efforts. The Turkish giants have switched their focus to Aina as they give the impression of being to strengthen their defensive choices for his or her title defence.
Taiwo Awoniyi
Regardless of managing simply 292 minutes throughout 14 appearances this season, Taiwo Awoniyi stays a part of Nottingham Forest’s plans. The membership has determined in opposition to letting the Nigerian striker depart in January, whilst Chris Wooden’s spectacular type of 10 targets in 18 video games continues to restrict his taking part in time.
Supervisor Nuno Espirito Santo views Awoniyi as essential cowl for Wooden, notably given the membership’s restricted putting choices. The Athletic experiences that Forest nonetheless regard him as an essential squad member and are unwilling to weaken their attacking depth halfway via the season.
The state of affairs highlights Forest’s cautious squad administration, with the membership prioritizing general workforce power over particular person taking part in time. Awoniyi’s earlier contributions, notably final season, have earned him persistence from the Forest hierarchy as he works to regain full health and type.
Nevertheless, the striker may nonetheless depart the membership who’re overachieving this season in favour of extra minutes elsewhere.
Emmanuel Dennis
Nottingham Forest are actively looking for to dump Emmanuel Dennis, with the membership providing the striker to groups in Qatar. The 27-year-old’s exclusion from Forest’s Premier League squad below Nuno Espirito Santo underlines his fall from grace since his £20m transfer from Watford.
The membership’s makes an attempt to succeed in a mutual termination of his contract in the summertime proved unsuccessful, with Dennis rejecting the proposed phrases. Forest have now shifted their technique, pursuing a mortgage deal that might see the receiving membership tackle a good portion of his wages.
Tolu Arokodare
KRC Genk chairman Peter Croonen has taken a robust stance on Tolu Arokodare’s future, emphatically ruling out a January sale regardless of rising Premier League curiosity. The 24-year-old’s exceptional season, that includes 14 targets and 6 assists in 22 appearances, has attracted consideration from Fulham and Trabzonspor.
Arokodare’s transformation this season has been notably noteworthy. After a difficult begin to his Genk profession, he has emerged because the highest-scoring Nigerian in Europe’s main leagues, establishing himself because the workforce’s major attacking risk.
His newest exploit, a Boxing Day brace in opposition to Royal Antwerp in a 2-2 draw, additional emphasised his significance to Genk’s ambitions.
Bruno Onyemaechi
Portuguese aspect Boavista have set a €6m price ticket on Bruno Onyemaechi amid rising curiosity from Turkish membership Trabzonspor. The left-back’s inventory has risen significantly following his constant performances for Nigeria of their 2025 African Cup of Nations qualifying marketing campaign.
The defender’s growth at Boavista has caught the attention of a number of European golf equipment, along with his attacking contributions and defensive solidity making him a gorgeous proposition on the quoted worth.
Because the January window unfolds, these potential strikes may reshape each the European soccer panorama and Nigeria’s nationwide workforce dynamics forward of upcoming worldwide competitions. The approaching weeks will reveal which Tremendous Eagles stars will probably be spreading their wings to new locations as golf equipment scramble to strengthen their squads for the season’s essential second half.
