VVV-Venlo, FC Utrecht and FC Basel are interested in loaning Arsenal and Nigerian midfielder Kelechi Nwakali, according to the player’s agent.

Nwakali had a successful loan spell at Dutch side Maastricht last season and is now likely to go on loan again in 2017/18. According to All Nigeria Soccer, there are several clubs interested, with Dutch sides VVV-Venlo and FC Utrecht and Swiss giants FC Basel believed to be in the running.

“We are not yet through with VVV Venlo, it is not an authentic information, we have other options,” agent Allwell Nwakali said. ”So many teams have contacted us that they want to take Kelechi on loan. We are also in talks with FC Utrecht and FC Basel.

”If he joins Basel in Switzerland, he will have the opportunity to play in the Champions League, but nothing has been decided.”

The Netherlands is a popular destination for Premier League loanees, but sending him to Basel would give him the opportunity to play in the Champions League. Nwakali signed for Arsenal last summer but is currently unable to play due to not qualifying for a work permit.

Fortunately, there’s plenty of interest in him thanks to his performances at the U17 World Cup in 2015 and last season on loan. The more games he plays at a higher level, the greater the chance of him receiving a senior call-up to the Nigeria national team and qualifying for a work permit.

His development will be accelerated if he’s playing competitive football on a regular basis for a strong European club, so he’ll want to ensure he’s getting game time each week for the next club he picks.