Nigeria are aiming to lure 16 year old Arsenal goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo to the U-20 team despite his presence statue as a player for the U17 team of England, Owngoalnigeria.com understands.
Coach of the Nigerian team Paul Aigbogun is based in London with his family, where he plans to hold talks with players of Nigerian descent who are representing various youth teams in England in view of calling them up to his team.
We gathered Okonkwo is among the players pencilled down for talks as the Nigerian team who are already through to the African Youth Championship are looking for more options in the goalkeeping area of the team.
Okonkwo, who is already 6ft 5in, is seen as one of Arsenal’s most promising youngsters with a genuine chance of making the first team and is regarded highly in the England set-up.
Okonkwo is keen to stay at Arsenal but the club’s purge on contracts means they stand to lose him as he can walk away as a free agent in the summer.
Arsenal have offered him a scholarship with a professional contract to follow when he turns 17 in September but no agreement has been reached.
Ade Emmanuel
