The summer transfer window opened on June 1, with some top Nigerian players already on the move to join new clubs, while others await their fate amid transfer links to other clubs.
The Nigerian players that could join new clubs from their present clubs as the summer transfer window begins.
Victor Osimhen
As of today, Osimhen’s future regarding his next club to join on a permanent transfer is unclear.
Osimhen promised last week he will make a transfer decision on his future this week.
“I’ll make my final decision regarding my transfer within a week,” Osimhen promised. “It will be a very difficult decision for me,” he added.
The 26-year-old spent the 2024/2025 season on loan at Turkish Super Lig champions Galatasaray from Napoli.
He registered 37 goals and seven assists across all competitions for Galatasaray.
Galatasaray are prepared to pay his €75m release clause to the Serie A champions, while there is also interest in the Super Eagles attacker from Saudi Arabia.
Ademola Lookman
There is every indication that the Nigerian forward would leave Atalanta this summer.
Arsenal have Lookman on their radar this summer transfer window and have joined Juventus and Napoli in the race for the 27-year-old.
Lookman, who scored 20 goals and provided seven assists in 39 games across all competitions during the just concluded season, is valued around €40mllion by Atalanta.
He was the hero for Atalanta last year when he helped them win the UEFA Europa League trophy, beating Bayer Leverkusen in the final.
The Nigerian scored a hat-trick in the 3-0 win against the German Bundesliga side.
Ola Aina
Aina’s contract with Nottingham Forest will expire at the end of June.
The defender joined Nottingham Forest on a one-year deal in July 2023 after stints with Torino, Fulham, and Chelsea, respectively.
The 28-year-old has been linked with Liverpool and Besiktas, while Chelsea, Newcastle United and Manchester City are also reportedly interested in him.
However, Nottingham Forest are desperate to tie Ola down to a new long-term contract, but it’s yet to be seen if the Nigerian will leave or stay at City Ground this summer.
Umar Sadiq
Sadiq joined Valencia on loan from Real Sociedad in January.
But Valencia have ruled out signing the Nigerian striker on a permanent transfer this summer, citing financial constraints and other priorities.
Sadiq impressed during his loan move at Valencia and helped the club move out of the relegation zone in the just concluded 2024/25 LaLiga season.
The lanky attacker netted six goals in 16 league appearances for Valencia but Carlos Corberán’s side will not trigger the €9 million buy option in his contract.
But the good news is that Sadiq has other suitors in Spain and Qatar ready to sign him on a permanent transfer this summer.
Kelechi Iheanancho
Sky Bet Championship club Middlesbrough recently confirmed Iheanacho’s return to Sevilla.
The Nigeria international joined Middlesbrough on loan from Spanish club, Sevilla, in January.
The former Manchester City striker moved to the Riverside Stadium in search of regular football after falling out of favour at Sevilla.
The 28-year-old scored one goal and provided two assists in 15 league appearances for Michael Carrick’s side.
Iheanancho is expected to seek all permanent exit from Sevilla this summer before the start of the 2025/26 season.
Bright Osayi-Samuel
Osayi-Samuel’s contract with Fenerbahçe will expire this June and negotiations for a new deal have stalled.
The defender is reportedly seeking a higher salary, and Fenerbahçe appears reluctant to meet his demands.
He has attracted interest from Premier League clubs, including Everton.
It’s yet to be seen if the 27-year-old will leave Jose Mourinho’s side this summer.
Taiwo Awoniyi
Awoniyi could be on his way out of Nottingham Forest this summer, as Nuno Santo’s side are looking to sign Bournemouth striker Evanilson.
Awoniyi endured a difficult 2024/25 campaign with Nottingham Forest.
The Nigeria international used to be the first-choice for the Tricky Trees, but his constant injury problems gave Chris Wood to usurp him in Santo’s starting XI.
Nottingham Forest are also open to selling the 27-year-old attacker to avoid another breach of the Premier League’s financial rules.
Awoniyi joined Nottingham Forest from Bundesliga club, Union Berlin, for £17.5m in June 2022.
Samuel Chukwueze
AC Milan will listen to offers for Chukwueze this summer as the Nigerian winger is no longer in the club’s plans for next season.
The Nigeria international has struggled to impress since joining Milan Spanish club Villarreal three years ago.
Chukwueze was close to joining Premier League club, Fulham in January but ended up staying at the Serie A giants.
The 25-year-old also turned down a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia last summer.
Chukwueze scored just three goals in 24 league appearances for Milan during the 2024/25 season.
Speaking on Monday, Media Consultant and Football Development Expert, Ibrahim Lawal, wished the Nigerian players that are attracting interest from clubs in Europe and Saudi Arabia goodluck.
He also urged them to join clubs that will guarantee them regular playing game-time ahead of the World Cup qualifiers and AFCON competition.
“The summer transfer window is the best time in the football calendar for clubs to strengthen their squads.
“It’s good that some Nigerian players will be moving to new clubs this summer window,” Lawal said.
“Particularly, I would like to see players in the NPFL (Nigeria Professional Football League) signing for some European clubs this summer window, because it would boost the domestic league and encourage the local home-based players and give them hope in their careers. We have good players in the domestic league.
“I was happy when [Eric] Chelle invited some NPFL players like Sodiq Ismail of Remo Stars and Papa Daniel of Niger Tornadoes to be part of the Super Eagles squad in the Unity Cup tournament and to play the Russia friendly match.
“It’s indeed a welcome development and it would go a long way to encourage other players playing in the local league,” he said.
“Well, as for the already established players like Osimhen, Lookman, Chukwueze and others who are attracting interest from top clubs in Europe and also in Saudi Arabia this summer, I wish them good luck,” Lawal added.
“But my message to these Super Eagles players is that they should join clubs that will guarantee them more regular game time, not clubs that when they join, they would struggle for game time.
“We have seen it happen in the past where a player, after joining a new club, will hardly get game time.
“The World Cup qualification is coming and also the AFCON, so Chelle will need players playing regularly for their clubs,” he further stated.