Nwakali may return to England with Leeds United

If reports in The Athletic is anything to go by, Nigeria international Kelechi Nwakali will be playing in the English Premier League in the coming season as Leeds United are said to be interested in signing the Huesca midfielder this summer.

Nwakali would jump at another chance to return to England and impress after failing to make his mark at Arsenal during a three-year stay.

The talented youngster was the star for the Golden Eaglets at the under-17 World Cup in 2015, where he led Nigeria to the title as their captain.

Nwakali won the Golden Ball Award, ahead of more celebrated teammates like Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze.

He signed for Arsenal in the summer of the following year but was farmed out on loan to Maastricht, Venlo, and Porto B before his release in September 2019 without a first-team appearance to his name.

Nwakali moved to Huesca but failed to secure a regular first-team spot before he went on loan to Alcorcon, where he showed his quality once again.

His performances in the Segunda Division have reportedly caught the attention of Leeds, who are badly in need of another central midfielder this summer.

Leeds would have to try hard for the 22-year-old as Watford are also reportedly monitoring the Nigerian’s situation, with   competition from La Liga duo Osasuna and Levante.

SD Huesca were delighted with the progress made by the Nigerian youngster during his loan spell at Alcorcón and have attempted to fend off interest shown in the versatile midfielder by offering him a new contract.

Nwakali would not have wasted time to sign on the dotted line if The Azulgranas were not demoted to the second-tier at the end of last season.

The 23-year-old has ambitions to represent the Super Eagles at next year’s World Cup and is aware that he must be playing for a top-flight European club to be considered for selection by manager Gernot Rohr.

Nwakali departed Arsenal in the summer of 2019 without playing a single game for the first team because he couldn’t sort out his papers.

Nwakali has just one year left on his contract at the Spanish second division side and could be on the move in the coming weeks.