Porto in hot chase for Nwakali

Portuguese top side, FC Porto are in talks with Premier League side Arsenal over the transfer of ex-Nigeria U20 skipper Kelechi Nwakali.

Negotiations are at an advanced stage and Porto are hoping to conclude a season-long loan deal before they begin their pre-season preparations.

Nwakali’s camp claim that the midfielder has already agreed personal terms with the 28-time Primeira Liga champions and the player is now awaiting approval from the Gunners hierarchy before flying to Portugal in the next few days.

Arsenal say they cannot process a work permit for Nwakali because he was omitted from Nigeria’s 23-man World Cup roster, so another loan move is definitely on the cards.

Since the former Golden Eaglets captain turned professional, he has played his best football at MVV Maastricht, scoring 7 goals in 52 appearances in two different loan spells with the Dutch club.

The 20-year-old Kelechi Nwakali is contracted to Arsenal.