Top Nigerian Players That Could Move In 2025 January Transfer Window

The 2025 January Transfer Window will see a good number of Nigerian players move to new clubs due to the state of their current contracts with their present teams. Nigerian players like Victor Osimhen, Gift Orban, Samuel Chukwueze, Ola Aina, and a host of others could move during the January transfer window either through permanent deals or loans. Below Are The Top Nigerian Players That Could Move During the 2025 January Transfer Window: 1.

Gift Orban One of the Nigerian players who could move in the January transfer window is Olympique Lyonnais’ 22-year-old striker Gift Orban. Hoffenheim have already agreed a deal with Lyon and the player has undergone medical in Germany on Wednesday. Hence, he is poised for a fresh start after a challenging period in France, during which he struggled for playing time following his €14 million move last January.



Lyon’s financial situation, complicated by a provisional relegation to Ligue 2 imposed by the DNCG, has propelled them into negotiations. Hoffenheim’s bid of €10 million, despite being slightly below Lyon’s €12 million valuation, seems favorable given the club’s circumstances. Although clubs like RC Lens and Galatasaray showed significant interest in Orban, his move to the Bundesliga offers a promising opportunity for a striker whose potential has been somewhat overshadowed by disciplinary issues in recent months.

2. Ola Aina Nottingham Forest face a challenging task in retaining versatile defender Ola Aina, who has caught the attention of Manchester City as a possible long-term replacement for Kyle Walker. Since joining Forest on a free transfer, the 28-year-old has impressed, contributing two goals in 19 league appearances and excelling in various defensive roles.

Aina’s performances have drawn interest from Pep Guardiola, who sees him as a great fit for City’s tactics. While Forest is optimistic about finalizing a new long-term deal, the prospect of playing under Guardiola and contending for major honors could influence Aina’s decision. Galatasaray’s entry into the race adds complexity, as the Turkish giants seek to enhance their defensive lineup for a title defense.

3. Emmanuel Dennis Nottingham Forest are currently looking to offload Emmanuel Dennis, offering the striker to clubs in Qatar as part of their transitional strategy. The 27-year-old has found himself outside of the Premier League squad under manager Nuno Espirito Santo after a challenging period since his £20 million move from Watford.

Attempts to mutually terminate his contract in the summer were unsuccessful, but the club has now shifted to pursuing a loan arrangement where the recipient club would cover a significant portion of his wages. 4. Tolu Arokodare KRC Genk chairman Peter Croonen has firmly stated that Tolu Arokodare will not be sold in January, despite increasing interest from Premier League clubs.

The 24-year-old has had a spectacular season, notching 14 goals and six assists in 22 appearances, capturing the attention of teams like Fulham and Trabzonspor. Arokodare’s impressive transformation this season follows a challenging start to his career at Genk, where he has established himself as the highest-scoring Nigerian player in Europe’s major leagues. His recent performance, including a Boxing Day brace against Royal Antwerp, underscores his significance within the team’s aspirations.

5. Bruno Onyemaechi Boavista have set a €6 million price tag on Bruno Onyemaechi amidst rising interest from Turkish club Trabzonspor. The left-back’s reputation has grown significantly thanks to his consistent performances for Nigeria in the qualifying campaign for the 2025 African Cup of Nations.

His development at Boavista, characterized by strong attacking contributions and solid defensive play, has captured the attention of various European clubs, making him an appealing prospect at the proposed price. 6. Victor Osimhen Manchester United are ramping up efforts to secure Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, currently on loan at Galatasaray, with preliminary discussions underway with Napoli for a potential January transfer.

The 26-year-old has delivered impressive performances during his time in Turkey, scoring 12 goals and providing five assists in just 14 appearances across all competitions since his move in September. With new manager Ruben Amorim expressing concerns over the current strikers, particularly Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, United’s interest in Osimhen’s €75 million release clause highlights their commitment to improving their attacking capabilities, as they have only managed 21 goals in the Premier League this season. However, there are obstacles to this potential move.

Galatasaray is keen to retain Osimhen for the remainder of his loan, and Arsenal has also entered the fray, particularly in light of Bukayo Saka’s injury. The Gunners view Osimhen as an ideal candidate to fill the void during Saka’s two-month recovery. 7.

Ademola Lookman Following his recent accolade as African Footballer of the Year, Ademola Lookman is at the center of substantial transfer interest, despite Atalanta’s firm commitment to keeping the talented forward. Director Tony D’Amico has explicitly stated that a January exit is not on the table, but that has not deterred clubs from pursuing the 27-year-old. Lookman’s rise in 2024 has been remarkable, with impressive statistics of 11 goals and six assists in 20 appearances this season.

His previous accomplishments include a standout performance in the Africa Cup of Nations, a historic hat-trick in the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen, and a respectable finish in the Ballon d’Or rankings. Long-term admirers, Liverpool, are considering a move, especially with Lookman’s market value soaring from €30 million to €55 million. Arsenal legend Ian Wright has also endorsed him as a prime target for the Gunners this January.

8. Samuel Chukwueze AC Milan may be prepared to reassess their strategy regarding Samuel Chukwueze, just months after his €20 million transfer from Villarreal. The Nigerian winger has faced challenges at San Siro, opening up possibilities for a move in January, with Turkish clubs Besiktas and Trabzonspor emerging as frontrunners for his signature.

Despite having a contract until June 2028, Milan appear open to facilitating Chukwueze’s departure, as he has yet to recapture the form that made him a standout player in La Liga. Reports indicate that his representatives have approached Besiktas, although the club’s current presidential elections might slow down the transfer process. This situation has garnered attention from Premier League clubs, with Arsenal and Aston Villa keeping a close eye on developments.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta sees Chukwueze as a viable option to replace the injured Saka, while Villa coach Unai Emery may pursue a reunion with the player who helped him achieve UEFA Europa League success at Villarreal in 2021. Milan aim to recover much of the €28 million spent on Chukwueze, while a potential return to La Liga remains a possibility as they evaluate their options..