Transfer Deadline: Nigerian Stars In Line For Last-Minute Moves

As the clock ticks down on the 2025/2026 summer transfer window, several Nigerian players are poised to dominate deadline-day headlines, with Samuel Chukwueze, Tolu Arokodare, and Cyriel Dessers among those in line for last-minute moves.

Tolu Arokodare’s rise has been one of the stories of the summer. The 23-year-old striker touched down in England over the weekend to complete medicals ahead of a €27m transfer from Belgian side Genk to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Wolves have been in desperate need of firepower, and Arokodare’s 21-goal haul in the Jupiler League last season made him one of Europe’s most coveted forwards.

Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano reports that a deal is in principle agreed, with the Nigerian set to become Vitor Pereira’s seventh signing of the window.

If all goes as expected, Arokodare won’t be the only Nigerian arriving in the Premier League today. Samuel Chukwueze is also edging closer to a switch, with Fulham locked in talks with AC Milan over a loan deal that could include an obligation to buy.

The winger, once one of La Liga’s brightest prospects at Villarreal, has endured a frustrating spell at San Siro and is eager for a fresh start.

He arrived in London on Sunday after Milan gave him permission to travel, signalling that a resolution is near. For Chukwueze, a transfer to Fulham could mean an opportunity to reignite his career alongside compatriots Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey.

While Arokodare and Chukwueze look forward to new beginnings, Emmanuel Dennis has reached the end of the road at Nottingham Forest. The club announced on Sunday that his contract has been terminated by mutual consent.

Dennis, 27, had struggled for form and fitness, spending last season on loan at Blackburn Rovers where he failed to score in seven appearances. “We wish Emmanuel well for the future,” Forest said in a statement. Serie A clubs are reportedly circling as Dennis plots his next move.

Elsewhere, Ademola Lookman’s future has turned into a saga. Bayern Munich have made an approach for the 2024 CAF Player of the Year, proposing a loan with a buy option.

But Atalanta are standing firm: they will not sanction any deal unless it’s permanent, and they value the forward at around €50m.

“Atalanta maintain their position for Ademola Lookman: no intention to let the player leave on loan,” Fabrizio Romano reported.

Tottenham Hotspur and Galatasaray are also watching closely, while Inter Milan’s earlier bid of €42m plus bonuses was rebuffed. For now, the standoff continues, with Lookman training separately after pushing for a move earlier in the summer.

Raphael Onyedika is another Nigerian attracting late transfer interest. The 24-year-old midfielder, currently at Club Brugge, is a long-term target for Galatasaray, who have already lodged a loan-to-buy offer worth €20 million in total.

With Monaco and Eintracht Frankfurt also monitoring his situation, the Super Eagles man could yet be one of the transfer deadline’s surprise movers.

In Scotland, Cyriel Dessers appears to be on the verge of a new chapter. Rangers boss Russell Martin admitted after Sunday’s Old Firm clash with Celtic that the striker has “probably played his last game” for the club.

Dessers, 30, is expected to finalise a €5m move to Greek champions Panathinaikos, bringing an end to his short but eventful spell at Ibrox.

And in Spain, Getafe forward Christantus Uche has verbally agreed to join Crystal Palace, with Fabrizio Romano confirming that paperwork is expected to be wrapped up swiftly.

If completed, the move would see another Nigerian talent making the leap into Premier League football.