The 2025/26 summer transfer window will officially close in less than two weeks, however some Nigerian players in Europe are still in limbo over their future.

In this piece, PUNCH Sports highlights some of these players who are still uncertain about their future.

Ademola Lookman

It’s been clear that Lookman wanted out of Atalanta before the end of last season, but the 27-year-old is still stuck with the Bergamo outfit, leading to a deterioration of his relationship with their hierarchy.

After three seasons, which have seen him score 39 league goals plus 21 assists in 93 Serie A games, Lookman has emerged as one of Atalanta’s assets, and the club placed a valuation of €50m on him. So far, only Inter Milan have made an offer of €45m, which Atalanta rejected.

With two years left on his contract, Lookman would have to mend broken relationships if he has to stay at Atalanta. But for now, the player is bent on not playing for the club again.

Kelechi Iheanacho

Since leaving Leicester at the end of the 2023/24 season, Iheanacho has played at Sevilla and Middleborough (on loan), but he hasn’t quite fit in; hence, ‘Seniorman’ is still on the lookout for a new club.

One goal and two assists in 15 games wasn’t enough to convince Michael Carrick to keep him, and he is back at Sevilla, where he is deemed surplus to requirements.

At the moment, Turkish Super Lig side Samsunspor are eyeing the Super Eagles striker and are poised to make him the latest in an increasing list of Super Eagles players plying their trade in Turkey.

Sadiq Umar

Valencia and Real Sociedad have been discussing the possibility of a transfer of Umar, but nothing has yet to materialise. Umar had just impressed on loan at Valencia, but it is surprising to see the club being frugal about their attempt to get him.

According to Marca, Valencia have now proposed a loan deal without a transfer fee, but with full payment of the player’s salary and an additional loan fee. Real Sociedad are open to the transfer but not for free, and the deal could be closed if Valencia increased their offer to around €1.5m.

Tolu Arokodare

Top scorer in the league last season with 21 goals, Arokodare is yet to start a game for Genk this season due to his possible exit from the club. Indeed, he has been promised a transfer by the club, but Genk insist there have been no offers for the Nigerian.

The 24-year-old has expressed his frustration with the situation, but has also braced for a stay, meaning that he would have to fight for his place again in the team. The striker recently made a huge statement by coming off the bench to score against Standard Liege.

Samuel Chukwueze

Since making the big move to Milan in the summer of 2023, Chukwueze has failed to live up to the standard which caught the eyes during his Villarreal days. Despite expressing his desire to stay on and change his fortunes, it remains to be seen whether Milan will match his desire, as recent reports have suggested that Massimiliano Allegri wants to retain Alexis Saelemaekers and use the Belgian winger returning from a loan spell at Roma as a backup to Christian Pulisic instead of Chukwueze.

The Nigeria international moved to Milan in a €21m deal from Villarreal in the summer of 2023. The 26-year-old has scored eight goals and provided six assists in 69 appearances across all competitions with the Rossoneri.

Cyriel Dessers

After two impactful seasons at Rangers, Dessers is exploring the options of a transfer with two years left on his deal. Greek side, AEK Athens, are the only club looking at him. But while it’s all gone a little quiet, it’s being reported that a move to Greece should not be ruled out. While he is poised to leave, the 30-year-old has been a standout player for Rangers, earning the praise of their coach.

Joe Aribo

Aribo only featured once for relegated Southampton during pre-season, sending signals of a possible exit. The midfielder’s deal expires next summer, and it might just be time for the Saints to recoup some money from the €10m they paid for him in 2022. Currently, he is on the radar of Bundesliga side Leipzig and LaLiga outfit Villarreal.