Nigerian Football Players Set For Major Moves In January 2025 Transfer Window

The 2025 January Transfer Window is expected to see several top Nigerian football players move to new clubs.

Players like Victor Osimhen, Gift Orban, Samuel Chukwueze, Ola Aina, and others could be involved in transfers, whether through permanent moves or loans, due to the state of their current contracts.

Gift Orban, a 22-year-old striker from Olympique Lyonnais, is one of the most talked-about players in the transfer window. Hoffenheim has reportedly agreed on a deal with Lyon, and Orban has already undergone medical tests in Germany. This move comes after a challenging period in France, where Orban struggled for playing time. His €14 million move last January did not go as planned due to Lyon’s financial difficulties and their provisional relegation to Ligue 2. While other clubs like RC Lens and Galatasaray have shown interest, Hoffenheim offers Orban a promising opportunity in the Bundesliga.

Another player in the spotlight is Ola Aina, who has impressed since joining Nottingham Forest on a free transfer. The versatile defender has attracted attention from Manchester City, who are looking for a long-term replacement for Kyle Walker. Aina’s performances have caught the eye of Pep Guardiola, who sees him as a potential fit for City’s style of play. However, Forest is eager to keep Aina, and the arrival of Galatasaray adds complexity to the situation as they also show interest in the player.

Emmanuel Dennis of Nottingham Forest may also be on the move. After a difficult period since his £20 million transfer from Watford, Dennis is reportedly being offered to clubs in Qatar. His absence from the Premier League squad has made a loan deal more likely, with the recipient club expected to cover a significant portion of his wages.

Tolu Arokodare, the 24-year-old striker for KRC Genk, is also attracting interest from Premier League clubs. Arokodare has had a standout season, scoring 14 goals and providing six assists in 22 appearances. Despite growing interest, the club’s chairman, Peter Croonen, has firmly stated that Arokodare will not be sold in January.

Bruno Onyemaechi, a left-back at Boavista, is another player who could be on the move. Turkish club Trabzonspor is reportedly interested, and Boavista has set a €6 million price tag on him. Onyemaechi’s solid defensive play and attacking contributions have caught the attention of several European clubs.

Victor Osimhen, currently on loan at Galatasaray, is another player generating significant interest. Manchester United is reportedly ramping up efforts to secure the 26-year-old striker, with preliminary talks already underway with Napoli. Osimhen has been in impressive form, scoring 12 goals and providing five assists in just 14 appearances since his loan move. Despite interest from both United and Arsenal, Galatasaray is keen to retain him for the remainder of his loan.

Ademola Lookman, who was recently named African Footballer of the Year, has also seen a rise in transfer interest. Atalanta, his current club, has made it clear that they do not intend to sell him in January, but clubs continue to pursue him. Lookman has had an exceptional 2024, with 11 goals and six assists in 20 appearances. His market value has risen significantly, attracting interest from Liverpool and Arsenal, among others.

Finally, Samuel Chukwueze, who moved to AC Milan from Villarreal for €20 million, could be considering a move after facing challenges at San Siro. Turkish clubs Besiktas and Trabzonspor are reportedly interested in the winger, who has not yet recaptured the form that made him a standout in La Liga. Milan is reportedly open to allowing Chukwueze to leave, and there are also rumors of interest from Premier League clubs like Arsenal and Aston Villa. Milan hopes to recover a large portion of the €28 million spent on him, but a return to La Liga could also be a possibility.

Send Us A Press Statement Advertise With Us Contact Us

 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG