Tag: Chukwueze

  • FULL LIST: Nigerian players who moved to EPL this transfer window

    FULL LIST: Nigerian players who moved to EPL this transfer window

    Nigerian players are becoming increasingly attractive to clubs across Europe, with their blend of skill, strength, and flair catching the eye of top scouts and managers.

    This summer’s transfer window proved this growing reputation, as Super Eagles stars secured moves to the English Premier League. Their arrivals not only strengthen their new teams but also highlight the continued rise of Nigerian talent on the global football stage.

    Here are three Nigerian players who moved to the English top flight:

    1. Christantus Uche

    Uche joined the Eagles on a season-long loan deal from LaLiga club, Getafe on deadline day. Crystal Palace has an obligation to buy the attacking midfielder next summer.

    Uche made 41 appearances in all competitions for the La Liga side, scoring on four occasions and contributing seven assists. The Nigeria international becomes Palace’s fifth signing of the summer, following the arrivals of Walter Benitez, Borna Sosa, Yeremy Pino and Jaydee Canvot.

    Speaking on the move, Crystal Palace Chairman Steve Parish said: “I’m delighted to welcome Christantus to the club – he is an exciting young talent, who is also a full international.

    2. Tolu Arokodare

    Wolves completed the £24m signing of Genk striker Tolu Arokodare, The 6ft 6in Nigeria international signed a four-year deal at Molineux.

    Arokodare, who scored 21 goals in the Belgian Pro League to win the Golden Boot last season, will offer support in attack for Jorgen Strand Larsen.

    Arokodare, 24, scored 41 goals in 113 appearances for Genk after joining from Latvian side Valmiera in 2023 and has one goal in four matches for Nigeria.

    3. Samuel Chukwueze

    Samuel Chukwueze completed a loan deal to join Fulham for season long with the option  to buy permanently in the final hours of the transfer window.

    He joins fellow Nigerian internationals Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey at the English Premier League club from AC Milan in the Italian Serie A.

  • Milan pause Chukwueze’s move to Fulham

    Milan pause Chukwueze’s move to Fulham

    Samuel Chukwueze’s move to Fulham has been put on hold for now, according to a report, but contacts will be picked up in the coming days.

    Chukwueze is on the brink of leaving Milan, having said yes to a move to Fulham, but there are still some details that need to be sorted. In addition to finalising the transfer terms, Milan have decided to hit pause on the deal for now.

    Read Also:Fulham renew interest in Chukwueze

    The Rossoneri play against Lecce yesterday  and since Christian Pulisic has a minor ankle injury, Chukwueze  was the only forward on the bench.

    As explained by Matteo Moretto in a video on YouTube, Milan and Fulham made ‘a lot of progress’ in the negotiations between Tuesday and Wednesday. The deal was almost closed then, as the journalist puts it, for a loan with an option that will turn into an obligation at around €25m.

  • Fulham renew interest in Chukwueze

    Fulham renew interest in Chukwueze

    Premier League club Fulham have returned for AC Milan winger Samuel Chukwueze.

    It is a second attempt by the London club after they tried and failed to sign him in January.

    Transfer Expert Matteo Maretto reported that Fulham are more interested than several Spanish clubs in Chukwueze, who does not have a future at Milan.

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    This time it will be an initial loan with an option to buy when certain conditions are met.

    New rounds of talks between the clubs are expected soon.

    Chukwueze, who has been called up by the Super Eagles for next month’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa, scored five goals and made three assists in 35 appearances last season.

  • Fulham battle Turkish giants for Chukwueze

    Fulham battle Turkish giants for Chukwueze

    Samuel Chukwueze’s time at AC Milan may soon be drawing to a close, with the Nigerian winger at the centre of a brewing transfer battle involving two Turkish and one English clubs.

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    Turkish giants Beşiktaş and Fenerbahçe, both clubs coached by two former Manchester United managers, are the latest clubs to be interested in Samuel Chukwueze, according to HaberHergun.

  • Fulham open talks to sign Chukwueze

    Fulham open talks to sign Chukwueze

    Fulham have entered formal negotiations to sign Nigerian international Samuel Chukwueze from AC Milan, according to Italian journalist Nicolò Schira.

    Following a record-breaking Premier League season that saw them amass 54 points—their highest-ever tally—Marco Silva’s side is yet to make a signing this summer. With expectations heightened, the club is now focused on reinforcing key positions, particularly on the wings.

    Fulham have explored several wide options, including Arsenal’s Reiss Nelson—who spent time on loan at Craven Cottage last season—and Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling.

    However, progress has been slow. Arsenal prefer a permanent sale over another loan for Nelson, while Sterling’s high wages present a major obstacle.

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    The need to strengthen out wide has become even more pressing. Adama Traoré is attracting interest from Nottingham Forest, and veteran winger Willian, who made 12 appearances last season, is not expected to return after his contract expired.

    Chukwueze, 26, has emerged as a promising target. A move for the Super Eagles winger would not only add depth and pace to Fulham’s attack but could also lift dressing-room morale, especially with fellow Nigerians Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey already at the club.

    The former Villarreal star has found regular minutes hard to come by since joining AC Milan.

    Last season, he made just nine Serie A starts, along with two more in the Coppa Italia and Champions League.

    Fulham’s interest in Chukwueze stretches back to the January transfer window. With AC Milan now reportedly willing to offload him as they pursue Juventus forward Federico Chiesa, a transfer could materialize if both clubs can reach an agreement in the coming weeks.

  • Chukwueze wants  Milan stay

    Chukwueze wants  Milan stay

    There are reports that Milan will try to offload Samuel Chukwueze this summer, but the Nigerian winger hints on social media that he wants to stay at San Siro.

    Nigerian winger Chukwueze appears unwilling to leave Milan this summer.

    The 26-year-old has shared an Instagram post in which he is seen wearing a classic Rossoneri shirt. The ex-Villarreal winger also added a caption with red and black heart emoji.

    His Milan teammates, Rafael Leao and Fikayo Tomori, liked the Instagram post.

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    It remains to be seen whether Milan will match his desire, as recent reports have suggested that Massimiliano Allegri wants to retain Alexis Saelemaekers and use the Belgian winger returning from a loan spell at Roma as a backup to Christian Pulisic instead of Chukwueze.

    The Nigeria international moved to Milan in a €21m deal from Villarreal in the summer of 2023.

    The 26-year-old has scored eight goals and provided six assists in 69 appearances across all competitions with the Rossoneri.

  • Milan rejects Betis’ low offer  for Chukwueze

    Milan rejects Betis’ low offer  for Chukwueze

    Italian giants AC  Milan have  reportedly rejected  Real Betis’ offer  to prise away  Nigeria International striker   Samuel Chukwueze.

    The 26-year-old  had an underwhelming  performance last  season  scoring  just three goals  with two assists  in 26  Serie A matches  hence  the Rossoneri  are ready to listen to any willing buyer this summer.

    But Milan were said to be in dilemma over  offers being tabled  for  Chukwueze  even as they  are equally looking for pricy buys for the duo of Ismael Bennacer  and Theo Hernandez.

    The Rossoneri have failed to qualify for any European competition this season after finishing eighth in the Serie A table, which means they will have to tighten their belts a little.

    But Football Italia  claimed Milan risk missing out  big cash for Osimhen,  Bennacer and Hernandez with  current suitors are only offering ‘peanuts.   

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     “Milan are facing problems, as Olympique Marseille won’t pay the Ismael Bennacer option, while Atletico Madrid offers for Theo Hernandez and Betis for Samuel Chukwueze are too low,” Football Italia stated. “Though Tijjani Reijnders is on his way to Manchester City, they were still hoping to bring in some fresh revenue with other player sales.

    “The first was Bennacer, who had an option to buy for €12m which Olympique Marseille are not prepared to pay.”

    “ Sport Italia transfer pundit Gianluca Di Marzio warns that the opening Atletico Madrid offer for Theo Hernandez is only €15m, considerably lower than they were hoping for.

    “Chukwueze is also on his way out, but negotiations with Real Betis are still at very early stages.

    “It is unlikely to match the €21.1m plus up to €7m in add-ons that the Rossoneri paid to sign him from Villarreal in 2023,” the report noted.

  • Serie A: Conceicao wants total focus from Chukwueze’s Milan

    Serie A: Conceicao wants total focus from Chukwueze’s Milan

    AC Milan may have recovered from conceding two early goals in Serie A last weekend but they must concentrate from the start to improve results, manager Sergio Conceicao said.

    Milan’s hopes of making the top four continue to fade despite a fightback against Fiorentina after shipping two goals in the first 10 minutes to earn a 2-2 draw at the San Siro.

    Conceicao’s side have conceded first in each of their last six league games and, while they have come back to win two of those, three defeats in that period have left Milan ninth in the standings and nine points off fourth-placed Bologna.

    “You need to have the attitude of the second half from the start because games are won from the first minute to the last,” Conceicao told reporters ahead of  today’s clash at Udinese.”It’s important to be focused from the first minute, we have spoken about this a lot amongst ourselves, because it is nothing new this season. We have often reacted really well but you can’t always come back and win games.”

    Conceicao has often resorted to making changes at halftime if not sooner but this is not something pre-planned.

    “It seems like a contradiction but I don’t line up the players to take them off at halftime,” the manager added.

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    “I think about how the games go, then try to manage or change to help the guys. Based on the feelings I have during the week I choose the game plan, which then maybe changes, especially if we go behind.”

    Since taking charge in December, Conceicao has stuck with the 4-2-3-1 formation used by previous manager Paulo Fonseca.

    Despite Luka Jovic coming off the bench to score in the last two league games, Conceicao has no intention of partnering him with Tammy Abraham and playing two up front.

    “The 4-4-2 is one of the formations I like the most, I played there for many years,” Conceicao said.

    “But we are not yet balanced and solid enough to play with two strikers, plus (Rafael) Leao and Theo (Hernandez) who attack a lot. You can be offensive even with a single striker.”

    Against Udinese, Conceicao will be missing defender Kyle Walker, who fractured his elbow this week, forward Santiago Gimenez, having gone off injured against Fiorentina, and midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek as he recovers from appendicitis.

  • Chukwueze set for AC Milan exit

    Chukwueze set for AC Milan exit

    Super Eagles forward Samuel Chukwueze will likely leave AC Milan at the end of the season as he is not considered as an important member of the squad, Soccernet.ng reports.

    Since Portuguese coach Sergio Conceicao took over at AC Milan, there have been talks that some players could leave. And Super Eagles forward Chukwueze is one of those stars.

    The 25-year-old winger joined the Rossoneri from Villarreal two years ago in a deal worth €21.1 million. However, he has struggled go make a big impact at the club.

    He has not had as much game time as he had at Villarreal as the last two Milan coaches Paulo Fonseca and Stefano Pioli did not show much trust in him.

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    Conceicao took over at the turn of the year, and he has often tweaked AC Milan’s forward line. Chukwueze has been on the receiving end, as he has not started any game since Conceicao took over.

    Chukwueze has until the end of the season to prove his mettle to Europe’s big boys. He has to utilize every minute he gets to show his quality.

    The Super Eagles striker was previously linked with a transfer to Arsenal, but the deal did not work out as he sustained an injury.

    Fulham have also been mentioned among his admirers and they could move for him at the end of the season. Chukwueze has a good price tag as he would cost around €25 million.

  • Conceicao to coach  Chukwueze after Milan fired  Fonseca

    Conceicao to coach  Chukwueze after Milan fired  Fonseca

    AC Milan, the Italian Serie A  club of Nigeria international, Samuel Chukwueze,  has named Sergio Conceicao as their new coach within hours of sacking fellow Portuguese Paulo Fonseca after just six months in charge.

    Fonseca paid the price for the Italian giants’ inability to mount a Serie A title challenge.

     “Sergio Paulo Marceneiro da Conceicao has been appointed as the Head Coach of the men’s First Team until 30 June 2026,” Milan said in a statement yesterday.

    Conceicao, 50, was available after ending a seven-year stint with Porto in June this year having guided them to three league titles and four Portuguese Cup successes.

    His only head coaching experience outside of Portugal was a season with Ligue 1 side Nantes, although he knows Serie A having played for Lazio in two spells, Parma and Inter Milan from 1998-2004.

    Conceicao has shown extraordinary character to rise to the heights he has.

    The 56-times capped winger once contemplated quitting the sport after losing his father, mother and younger brother while still a teenager.

    Fonseca, 51, had pre-empted the announcement of his dismissal by saying he had been fired as he left the San Siro following his press conference after the draw with AS Roma on Sunday.

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    The 1-1 draw was the sixth of the season and left Milan in seventh spot, eight points off Lazio in the fourth and final Champions League place, and also a massive 13 adrift of city rivals Inter, who are in third spot and challenging for the title.

    In a statement, Milan thanked Fonseca for his “great professionalism”.

    Milan, the seven-time European champions, have been battling inconsistent form and anger from their supporters.

    Fonseca has been in open conflict with senior players and questioned his squad’s commitment, repeatedly going after countryman and star winger Rafael Leao and dropping France full-back Theo Hernandez for a teenage academy player in a dismal goalless draw with Genoa earlier this month.

    Meanwhile the cub’s fans are on a war footing, attacking the owners on December 21 when a celebration of the club’s 125th birthday was marred by the very obvious absence of Paolo Maldini among the iconic players parading on the pitch, but also chants demanding that owners, US investment fund RedBird, sell up.

    Supporters then turned up outside a private party for the anniversary, barracking most of the arriving players and displaying banners with messages including “a club with no ambition, you’re not worthy of our history”.