Arsenal have completed their first summer signing according to daily star. The Gunners have reportedly beaten the likes of West Ham, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United to high rated Nigeria under 17 FIFA world cup winner Kelechi Nwakali.
The Nigerian who has been named the new Patrick Vieira in some quarters has been the subject of bids from various clubs after emerging the best player at the FIFA under 17 world cup which he captained Nigeria to win last year.
However, it appears Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has moved quickly to beat the rest of the chasing pack to the signing of the highly versatile Nigeria youngster. Kelechi Nwakali want initially thought to be on his way to Tottenham with reports claiming Tottenham were the keenest in the bid to sign the Nigerian but according to daily star, the player will instead be signing a five years contract with the Gunners.
Although there is no official comment on this transfer from Arsenal so far which is not surprising considering how the Gunners conduct their transfer business in secrecy, daily star however claim they have gotten official statement from the player’s club in Nigeria confirming that Kelechi Nwakali will be a Gunner in a matter of days.
“Kelechi Nwakali is not coming back to Nigeria, he has gone to London to stay,” a representative told allnigeriasoccer.com ( quote via daily star )
“He will do pre-season training with Arsenal. It is no longer in our hands if he’ll train with the first team or the Academy, they know the best for him.
“His application for a work permit can only be processed after he clocks 18.”
Having seen the Nigerian play at the under 17 world cup, I honestly believe he has what it takes to be the next Patrick Vieira for Arsenal especially under the tutelage the high rated Arsene Wenger.
Signing Nwakali is never going to win Arsenal the league immediately but he is certainly a player that will excite the whole of the EPL ( well more likely to annoy other clubs but excite neutrals ) if he continues to develop the way he has done so far.
