One of the stars for the Nigeria U17 team at the recently concluded WAFU B U17 Championship Michael Emmanuel has caught the eyes of several teams in Europe.
Michael who is predominantly a midfielder filed in at left back for Nigeria at the tournament and didn’t disappoint with three goals all coming from freekicks. He also bagged an assist in the final match were Nigeria triumph 2-1 against Burkina Faso.
He won three man of the match award in four games at the tournament. A perfomance that placed him on the radar of several teams and one has already contacted his team Simoiben Football Academy.
City Football Group Limited (CFG) the holding company that administers Manchester City in England, Lommel SK in Belgium, Troyes in France, Girona in Spain and Palermo in England are the first team to officially contact the academy funded by Super Eagles star Moses Simon.
The offer was brought forward by a scout who works with the group and it involves agreeing a fee for the left footed teen sensation now ahead of paying it when he turns 18 in two years time.
Their offer is said to be in excess of €1m but the focus of the academy is on ensuring that Michael moves to a team that will aid his development even for a fee way less. The CFG project isn’t a trusted project yet in the sight of the hierarchy of the academy.
A decision also won’t be taken on the 16 year old until at least after the U17 Africa Cup of Nations with sources at the academy insisting that money won’t be the motivation behind any decision. His career development will be the first criteria when a decision is made.
