Arsenal are apparently, finally, ready to announce the signing of 18-year-old Kelechi Nwakali.
The player himself confirmed that he was signing for Arsenal some time ago, something we covered as it happened, but for whatever reason, no announcement from Arsenal was forthcoming despite the player first claiming he had signed in January and him posing with Arsene Wenger.
It seems that is about to change.
Arsenal expected to announce signing of Nigerian midfield Kelechi Nwakali.
Just 18 but highly-rated. Fee around £3m. Long-term contract.
— Simon Collings (@sr_collings) June 8, 2016
Expect announcement this week.
— Simon Collings (@sr_collings) June 8, 2016
It was reported at the start of May that the deal was ‘back on again‘ despite seemingly never being off, but you know how these things go – it’s all based on rumours. We went with what the player was saying.
Nwakali said that he has signed a five-year deal with Arsenal and, despite only being 18, the player who was named the best at the u17 FIFA World Cup, is incredibly highly rated.
“I just came back from London; I have signed a five-year contract with Arsenal, ” Nwakali told allnigeriasoccer.com in March.
“So many teams were interested in me, but it has been my dream at a tender age to play for Arsenal.”
Arsenal will pay between £2m and £3m to his ‘nursery’ club, ASJ/Diamond Academy, after the player spurned the advances of Sporting Lisbon, Olympiakos and Udinese.