ANDREW EKEJIUBA
Reports have shown that Nigeria is on the verge of losing the services of fast rising Anglo-Nigerian star, Bukayo Saka, to England following English Football Association’s directive to England’s Manager, Gareth Southgate, to monitor the winger at close quarters when Arsenal face Manchester City in the semi-final of the FA Cup on Saturday, July 18.
Southgate was given the green light by the English FA to also attend the semi-final matches involving Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal.
The Three Lions boss’ first scouting mission was to target exciting young talents in the ranks of the Manchester and London clubs, including Saka, Mason Greenwood and Phil Foden.
Should Saka catch the eye of Southgate, he stands a good chance of being invited to the England squad for their UEFA Nations League matches against Iceland and Denmark.
The Hale End Academy product is a target for the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), with President Amaju Pinnick likening the teenager to a goldfish with no hiding place.
1stnewsonline gathered that Gernot Rohr’s scout in London, Tunde Adelakun, has been keeping close watch on Saka since he broke into the Arsenal first team with a view to a call-up to the Super Eagles if he switches his allegiance from England to Nigeria.
The 18-year-old became provisionally cap-tied to his country of birth at the European U17 Championship two years ago and also has caps for the Young Lions at U16, U18 and U19 levels.
Recall that last year, the English FA beat their Nigerian counterparts to the services of Chelsea duo, Tammy Abraham and Fikayo Tomori, who were both extensively courted by Pinnick before they became cap-tied to the Three Lions.
Meanwhile, former West Ham and Sierra Leone international striker, Leroy Rosenior, has hailed the qualities of Saka, who is having a breakout season with Arsenal.
Speaking on the upcoming fixtures in the Premier League, Rosenior said, “He’s got twelve assists in all competitions, only behind Trent Alexander-Arnold (14) and Kevin De Bruyne (19), it just shows you how well he’s done this season.”
Saka has been backed to add to his Premier League tally after opening his account in a 2-0 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend.
He has made 39 appearances for Arsenal in all competitions since making his first-team debut in a Europa League match against Vorskla Poltava in November 2018.