Contrary to report carried by some news outlet in Nigeria, Owngoalnigeria.com can categorically reveal that the transfer of Simon Kalu to Gent is in no way on the verge of breaking down.
Kalu joined the Ligue 1 side for a fee slightly above €8m from Belgium side Gent but some reports in the Nigerian media suggest the news is on the verge of collapse due to his lack of international games for Nigeria.
Owngoalnigeria.com Daniel Martins says the notion is not true as the Ligue 1 doesn’t have national team appearance as one of the criteria for transfer and participation in the league. The only restriction in Ligue 1 is solely the fielding of players outside the European Union countries.
The rule in question doesn’t even apply to players from French colonies as they viewed as French citizens based on the Cotonou Accord reached by France and their colonies few years ago.
Chidozie Awaziem loan transfer to Nantes last season was also mentioned as a case study, but Awaziem has already played for Nigeria in the friendly games against Corsica and Togo before his involvement in the South African game.
20 year old Kalu will however not play for Bordeaux in tonight’s Europa League game against Mariupol as his registration failed to meet the deadline for registration ahead of the game.
