Super Eagles international midfielder, Kelechi Nwakali has emerged as a target for Racing Santander as they see him as an important acquisition going into the 2023/2024 season.
The 25-year-old currently plays for Derpotivo Ponferradina who were in the La Liga 2 last season. It was a bad season for Nwakali's team as they suffered relegation after finishing 19th and four points from safety. Other team's to have been relegated at the end of last season were Málaga, Ibiza, and Lugo. With their demotion to a lower League, it is almost a certainty that Nwakali will be looking to move clubs as he is a higher level player.
He signed for his current club in July 2022 and put pen to paper on a contract for two years but it looks like he will only be able to fulfill one year of this deal. Mikel Martija, the Sporting Director of Racing has already confirmed the club's interest in the player during an interview with Cope Cantabria. He admitted during the interview that the super eagles midfielder was one they intend to sign but there is competition among the teams in the division to sign the player.
While Deportivo Ponferradina were fighting for survival, Racing Santander were sitting comfortably in mid table and ended the season in 12th place, 10 points ahead of Ponferradina.
Deportivo Ponferradina want big money for the player
With their relegation Nwakali becomes a big sellable asset to their club and they will expect to be compensated with a big fee if they are to let him go.
Racing Santander however, have revealed that they will not be willing to pay any transfer fees or activate any release clauses this summer for any player. They will need to think of something fast if they are to acquire the services of the in demand midfielder.
Despite Ponferradina's relegation, Nwakali was one of the few positives in what was a negative year for them. He played 36 matches for the Segunda Division side and had five goal contributions to his name (four goals and one assist).
Kelechi Nwakali ha levantado el interés del @realracingclub.
El centrocampista nigeriano tiene contrato con la @SDP_1922 hasta 2024 y, por lo tanto, el club berciano no lo dejará salir gratis.
Info de @__angelgarcia__ pic.twitter.com/SEc3PpQK6N
— Unión Deportivista 🎙️⚽ (@U_Deportivista) June 12, 2023
Now 25, Nwakali was touted as a massive talent for the future after his performances at the FIFA U17 World Cup in 2015. He won the player of the tournament award and took home the bronze ball after scoring thrice in the tournament. He earned a move to English giants Arsenal as a result but was never able to truly unleash his potential.
After several loan spells, including a move to FC Porto during his time with the Gunners, he was unable to break into the first team and moved to Huesca. He then went on loan once again to Alcoron but he never truly found his place with Huesca. His contract was terminated shortly after and he signed for Ponferradina. Although Nwakali shone for his nation at youth level, he has never been capped at senior level.
This article was most recently revised and updated 1 year ago
