The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Swansea

  • Azeez could be heading to Swansea

    Azeez could be heading to Swansea

    English Premier League outfit Swansea City are  interested in Unión Deportiva Almería defensive midfielder Ramon Azeez.

    Fichajes.net says according to reports in England, Swansea are interested in ending Azeez stay at the Estadio de los Juegos Mediterráneos.

    The Nigerian international, 21, joined the Rojiblancos in 2011 from Future Pro Academy and has enjoyed a productive time in Spain.

    He made his debut in the Spain LIGA BBVA on 30th August 2013, playing 20 minutes in a 2–2 home draw against Elche CF.

    On 21st December 2013, Azeez scored his first professional goal, netting the game’s only in a win at Real Betis. He repeated the feat in the second meeting between the two teams, scoring in the 94th minute for a 3–2 triumph at the Estadio de los Juegos.

    On 3rd February 2014, Azeez was called up to the Nigeria senior side for a friendly against Mexico. He made his debut on 5th March against the El Tri, playing the entire second-half in a 0–0 draw at the Georgia Dome.

    The former Flying Eagles skipper was named in the provisional 30-man squad of the Super Eagles ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

    He was included in Stephen Keshi’s final list for the tournament, and made his World Cup debut on 16th June by starting in a 0–0 draw against Iran.

    Ramon is currently on a deal with the Spanish club until June 2015 and will likely leave if a lucrative deal is tabled to his representatives.

  • Almeria may block Azeez EPL switch

    Almeria may block Azeez EPL switch

    There are strong indications that modest Spanish side Almeria may block Nigeria star Ramon Azeez from joining Swansea City in the English Premier L.eague.

    According to africanFootball.com, Swansea has tabled a bid for the 21-year-old Nigeria World Cup midfielder, but Almeria is not in a hurry to sell.

    “Yes, there is a bid from Swansea for Ramon. The player and his club are currently in Thailand for pre-season and that includes the club president, who does not wish to sell Ramon,” a source close to the former Flying Eagles skipper told africanFootball.com.

    “Almeria is due back in Spain at the weekend and Ramon has said he has been speaking with his agent on the transfer.

    “We just have to wait and see how things play out but at the moment, Almeria officials are not willing to let go one of their prized assets.”

    Almeria barely escaped relegation from La Liga last season with Azeez, drafted in from the reserves, popping up with some crucial goals and assists in the process.

    He played a total of 32 matches and scored two goals.

  • Swansea battle QPR for Omeruo

    Swansea battle QPR for Omeruo

    EPL side Swansea will battle several Championship sides including QPR for Kenneth Omeruo for a loan deal in January.

    The agent of the Nigeria international defender Obinna Emelogu Chukwudi specially informed MTNFootball.com that the latest interest for a loan deal for his player have come from Swansea City and QPR among others.

    “There have been some interests from both the English Premier League and the Championship for Kenneth,” Emelogu disclosed.

    “From the EPL, we have had the likes of Swansea City and Hull City, while in the Championship we have got Queens Park Rangers, Watford and Huddersfield Town. A decision on where the player will go will only be known in January, but Chelsea would prefer he stays in England and that he joins a decent club on loan till the end of the season.”

    The 20-year-old Omeruo, who has been on a season and a half loan at Dutch club Ado Den Haag, has continued to train with the Chelsea main squad and has also featured for the London team’s U21 team and reserves.

  • Odemwingie good for Swansea – Laudrup

    Odemwingie good for Swansea – Laudrup

    Swansea boss Michael Laudrup has said Osaze Odemwingie would fit the bill as the club shop for a striker before the transfer deadline, MTNFootball.com reports.

    Laudrup watched his team fire a blank at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday as Roberto Soldado’s penalty condemned Swansea to another defeat after last week’s 1-4 loss to Manchester United.

    According to South Wales Evening Post, Landrup said he believes the club would land Osaze, who is a summer transfer target for Swansea City and two other EPL sides, Stoke City and Cardiff City.

    Swansea manager has hinted that West Bromwich Albion outcast Odemwingie is a strong option as he bids to add one last player to his new-look squad.

    “We want to add one more who can give us that in a certain part of the game or in certain games,” Laudrup said.

    “And he (Odemwingie) is a player with pace who knows the league.”

    The Danish legend is keen on the 32-year-old Nigeria international, who is surplus to requirements at ‘The Baggies.’

    There are now suggestions that Swansea has tabled an offer of close to £2 million for Odemwingie.

     

  • Ighalo targets EPL switch

    Ighalo targets EPL switch

    Granada forward, Odion Ighalo, is eyeing a move to the English Premier League at the end of the current season, as former club of Victor Moses Wigan and Swansea are keen on getting the services of the player.

    The 23-year-old is Granada’s top scorer last season, and currently on loan at Spanish side after finding his first-team chances limited at Udinese, Futaa.com reports.

    Swansea and Wigan are both thought to be weighing up moves for the skillful forward and Ighalo believes he is perfectly suited to the style of football in England.

    “I would be very happy to play in England and it is a dream for most players to play in the Premier League,” Futaa.com quoted Ighalo as saying at Sky Sports.

    “It has been one of my dreams to come to England and I hope that can happen this summer.

    “I have heard some clubs are interested in signing me and we will see what happens at the end of the season.

    “I think my style of football would be suited for England and I think I could be a success there.

    “I have played in Italy and Spain, but England is where is want to go and play having heard so many good things about the country.”

    Ighalo failed to add to his tally of three goals scored so far in the Spanish League, as Granada again spurned goal scoring chances in a 1-0 loss to Athletic Bilbao last Monday.