Nigerian players doing business in the transfer market

With the transfer window slamming shut, some Nigerian players are still in the race to secure moves adding to the growing number of players who have already switched clubs.

Already, Super Eagles left-back, Elderson Echiejile has been the subject of the most high-profile deal, with his switch from Braga to Monaco. AFCON hero Sunday Mba has finally received a transfer to Europe, to French side CA Bastia while another player who took part in that triumph, Fegor Ogude, is enjoying a fresh start at Amkar Perm, in the Russian top flight.

Kenneth Omeruo secured a loan move to Championship side Middlesbrough in a bid to shore up playing time ahead of the World Cup. Former international Yakubu Aiyegbeni has left Chinese side Guangzhou R&F to join Qatari club Al Rayyan, while prodigious youngster Kelechi Iheanacho earned a dream move to Premier League side Manchester City.

But there are those who could still swell this rank.

Peter Odemwingie

Peter Odemwingie has been confirmed as a Stoke City player. The former West Bromwich Albion striker moved to Cardiff City in the summer, but has largely struggled to make the impact that some expected.

With new  boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer keen to populate the squad with figures he trusts—including some of his own signings—and it seems that the Nigerian is surplus to requirements.

A swap deal was arranged with Stoke City, with powerful forward Kenwyne Jones moving in the other direction. The Caribbean striker could benefit from a change of scene.

Ogenyi Onazi

Defensive midfielder Ogenyi Onazi has been the subject of much attention during this window, unsurprising, perhaps, when one considers his fine performances over the last 12 months.

The majority of the attention has come from Merseyside, where two EPL sides, Everton and Liverpool, appear to by vying for the Lazio man’s attentions.

In the player’s eyes, the Reds appear to be the preferable option, but the Blues have been the more proactive suitors. It emerged d last week that Everton tabled a bid.

Ideye Brown

Early in January, Supersport reported that Nigerian forward Ideye Brown was looking to leave Dynamo Kyiv and seek his fortunes elsewhere.

 Ideye however hasn’t gone anywhere, and you would have to surmise that he will likely remain a Dynamo man beyond the end of the window.

The striker has endured a frustrating year with the national side and has begun to slip from the forefront of Stephen Keshi’s plans, perhaps a move away could help propel him back into the manager’s reckoning.

Joseph Yobo

Turkish website Fanatik.comrevealed at the end of December that Cardiff City were keen to add Joseph Yobo to their ranks.

The defender is another who has struggled to earn sufficient on-field minutes to convince Stephen Keshi of his worth. It has been almost a year since Yobo was last invited to represent the Super Eagles, and unless there is a significant up-turn in his playing time, he can forget about adding to his 95 caps.

Cardiff possess an outstanding defender in Steven Caulker, the former-Spurs defender and England international, but the presence of Yobo alongside him could well bolster the relegation-threatened club. The Nigerian enjoyed eight years in the Premier League with Everton and would be a valuable asset to Solskjaer.

Bright Dike

At the end of 2013, Bright Dike was linked with a switch to Scottish giants Celtic. The forward has the power and presence to thrive in Europe and would surely benefit from the Buoys’ regular appearances in the Champions League.

The Glasgow club has also opted to turn to Nigerians in the past; Efe Ambrose has been at the club since 2012 while Rabiu Ibrahim also had a recent spell at the club.

The recent acquisitions of Jermain Defoe and Gilberto have raised serious doubts about Dike’s long-term future at Toronto FC. A move to Celtic would likely benefit all parties involved.

Victor Obinna Nsofor

According to Italian paper Gazzetta dello Sport, Italian side Parma are interested in Lokomotiv Moscow forward Victor Obinna. The versatile forward has enjoyed a renaissance of late and has been recalled to the Super Eagles as Stephen Keshi hunts for goal-scoring forwards.

His goal against Ethiopia in Calabar has put him in a position to seal a spot in the Nigeria squad at the World Cup.

Beyond Parma, Italian side Chievo and Spanish team Celta Vigo have also been linked with Obinna, but the player himself has indicated that he would be delighted to return to the Premier League, and specifically, West Ham United, where he enjoyed a brief spell back in 2010-11.