Genk defender cum midfielder Wilfred Ndidi arrived Belgium yesterday from England after completing his medical with English Champions Leicester City.

Pictures of him at the airport in Belgium picked up by Owngoalnigeria.com from sources in Belgium can confirm his return back to base ahead of his impending move in January.

Known for his tenacity in tackling and keeping possession, the dark skinned former Nath boys trainee was dressed in a black top with a hoodie on, apparently to evade the cameras.

19 year old Ndidi has agreed a five year deal with the English side for a transfer fee reportedly worth £15 million for his transfer from Genk, when the transfer window reopens in January.

Three Nigerian players were in action for the Turkish Cup for their respective teams, and came out with mixed tales after the conclusion of the games.

Super Eagles deputy right full back Musa Muhammed was handed another game by coach Abdullah Avci had the Nigerian on as a substitute for Cheikhou Dieng after 79 minute of play, as Istanbul Basaksehir ran out 2-0 winners over Sivasspor.

It is the second time the 20 year old will be playing in the Cup this season for the high flying Turkish side, but he is still waiting for his first league appearance after 18 months at the club.

Meanwhile Godfrey Obaboana who missed Rizespor last two games was reinstated back into the team, and distinguished himself as his side ran out 6-1 winner over Kasimpasa with Kenneth Otigba marking his comeback.

Otigba missed Kasimpasa last league game due to suspension after picking up a red card in their 1-2 loss to Galatasary two weeks ago.

On loan FC Porto Nigerian midfielder Mikel Agu has been named in the team of the week in Portugal after his fine performances for Vitoria Setubal over the weekend.

Agu was at his best for Vitoria Setubal in their 2-0 win over Estoril in the round of 13 games in the Portuguese Primeira Liga, the 23 year old won possession for his team with ease, and made good use of the ball.

He has so far made 10 appearances for the team, his highest number of appearances in a top flight league since making his debut for FC Porto in 2014.

Last season he battled injuries and poor form while on loan to Belgian side Club Brugge, making just two appearances as the former team of ex Super Eagles captain and coach Daniel Amokachi emerged champions.

His future at FC Porto was secured before his latest loan spell, after penning an extension to his contract that was supposed to expire next summer.

Reports from Italy suggest that Torino are willing to cut loose Nigerian midfielder Joel Obi no thanks to the persistent injury issues that has bedeviled his career since he turn professional.

Reports has it that AC Milan Andrea Poli has already been approached as a possible replacement for Obi, who is expected to leave the Turin outfit in January.

Injuries and fitness issues were part of the reason why he was cut loose by Inter-Milan in the summer of 2015 on a permanent base after making just 11 appearances in two seasons.

He spent a total of five seasons at Inter-Milan but only managed to make 50 league appearances, with 27 the highest he made in a single season, which was the 2011/2012 season when he stayed fit for a sustained period.

Last season he made 10 appearances for Torino and scored once, before succumbing to injury. This season he has already made 11 appearances, one more than his last season overall tally with less than half of the season game played.

He is presently injured for the second time this season, and he is not expected back until most likely next year.

Super Eagles captain, John Obi Mikel is to leave Chelsea Football Club in January, according to Super Eagles Manager, Gernot Rohr.

Mr. Rohr told newsmen in London on Friday that the Chelsea forward had to leave the club because “he cannot stay in a club he is not playing”.

“He is moving come January transfer window. He cannot stay in a club he is not playing. So he has to move,” Rohr said, adding that some Super Eagles players who are not playing at their clubs may also leave the clubs.

Mr. Rohr spoke shortly after a meeting with Nike officials in London in connection with Super Eagles official kits. The meeting was also attended by NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, Mikel Obi and Eagles centre forward, Odion Ighalo, among others.

He expressed delight at the sample of Eagles new kits presented by Nike, saying that they were “very professional”. He, however, said the Eagles New Jerseys should be light blue to ensure visibility of the players and light in texture in view of the hot weather in Africa.

The Super Eagles manager said he paid a “private” visit to Eagles goal keeper, Carl Ikeme in Wolverhampton to wish him a quick recovery from his injuries.
Culled from Daily Trust:

Owngoalnigeria.com understands that Manchester United were willing to pay Belgian side Genk same amount of money Leicester City offered for the Nigerian, who had his medicals with the English Champions yesterday.

Although Leicester City have been favourite to sign him for some time now, Manchester United came into the picture last month, when one of their scout Roland Janssen proposed him to manager Jose Mourinho.

Janssen is same scout who brought the Nigerian to Belgium after watching him play in a tournament in Lagos during the 2014-2015 season, and still has close ties with the 19 year old.

The scout who now works for Manchester United pushed the club to equal what Leicester City agreed to pay for him but Mourinho wanted the defender cum midfielder to spend the rest of the season on loan in Belgium.

Mourinho plan was to watch him at close quarters during next pre season as he can’t guarantee him a spot in the midfield or defence of Manchester United this season, The suggestion made Ndidi turned down their approach and opt for Leicester City instead.

Ndidi will now join Leicester City on the 1st of January, when the transfer window reopens for registration of new players in Europe, to bring to three the number of Nigerian players to three at the club.

Super Eagles vice captain Ahmed Musa and upcoming forward Layton Ndukwu are the other Nigerians at the club.

According to reports gathered by Owngoalnigeria.com Belgian side Gent won’t stand in the way of William Troost Ekong, if a bid comes in for his services in January.

The Belgian side are open to letting him leave permanently but only at the right price, which makes another loan deal the most likely option for the 23 year old Nigerian centre back.

Ekong spent last season on loan to Norwegian side FK Haugesund, where his fine performances earned him a spot in the team of the year in Norway, aside several man of the match award.

He has also succeeded in transferring his club form to the Nigeria national team, where he has formed a formidable partnership with Leon Balogun in the heart of Nigerian defence.

However there are doubts if he will be able to break into the what looked like a settled defence for Gent, with their three man defence set up making his case more dicey.

Newcastle United loanee Sammy Amoebi scored a spectacular fourth goal for Bolton Wanderers as they romp to a 4-0 win over Gillingham in an English League one game.

He now has three goals for Bolton in all competitions and for the first time since joining the Trotters, he has found the back of the net in consecutive games.

Amoebi picked the ball from the edge of the box, from his position on the right side of Bolton’s attack and lashed in an unstoppable drive which nestled in the Gillingham net to complete the 4-0 rout.

Inconsistency, injuries and poor form has been his bane since his debut six years ago for Newcastle United but he appears to have sort that issue out, with consistent run of games for League one side Bolton Wanderers.

The 24 year old has made 18 appearances in all competition this season as he hopes to force his way into the plans of manager of Newcastle United Rafa Benitez at the club where he turned professional in 2010.