The European transfer window shuts at midnight on January 31. While player transfer ceases at that time, it is business as usual in Turkey. The Turkish winter transfer window will remain open till February 8. Clubs continue their quest to strengthen their squad before the window shuts.
A few Nigerian players have been in the news regarding a transfer. Joe Aribo is one player that attracted interest, with rumours rife of Aston Villa looking to bring him to the Premiership. Reports suggested his former coach Steven Gerrard was interested in signing the midfielder. With the transfer window closing on Monday midnight, interest in Aribo may have fizzled out.
Another Nigerian reportedly linked with a move away from his present club is Victor Osimhen. Recent rumours suggest the Napoli forward has attracted interest from Premiership side Liverpool, but interest in the player is for the summer.
However, one Nigerian player is close to completing a transfer to Turkey. The close of the Turkish transfer window is about eight days away, and former Turkish champions Istanbul Başakşehir want to sign Henry Onyekuru.
Onyekuru set for Istanbul Başakşehir
Henry Onyekuru has been the subject of interest in Turkey. The Super Eagles forward is wanted in Turkey, and with the transfer window still about a week to its closure, chances of a move remain very open. One-time Turkish Super Lig champions have shown an interest in the forward. Istanbul Başakşehir has reached out to Greek top club Olympiakos to bring the Nigerian forward to Turkey. The deal on the table is for a loan move till the end of the season.
Olympiakos have rejected an initial bid for Henry Onyekuru, but according to NTV Spor, it isn’t the end of the matter. The media outlet reports that the 2020 Süper Lig winners are preparing a second and improved bid for the winger.
The 2020 Süper Lig champions rate the former Monaco winger highly and want to bring him in before the window shuts on February 8.
An ideal replacement
Since Henry Onyekuru joined Greek giants Olympiakos, it has not been easy. The Nigerian forward joined the club in the summer and has found it an arduous task settling into the culture at the club. Onyekuru has found it challenging, as he has managed a goal and an assist in 21 matches.
A move to Turkey would be refreshing for Onyekuru as it was in Turkey that he played some of his best football. The former Monaco winger had three loan spells at Galatasaray, and he won the Süper Lig and Turkish Cup in 2019 with the Turkish giants.
Despite his challenges in Greece, Onyekuru is still highly rated in Turkey, with memories of his exploits there fresh in their mind.
Istanbul Başakşehir sees in Onyekuru an ideal replacement for the departed Bosnian winger Edin Visca to Trabzonspor. Emre Belözoğlu is keen to bring Onyekuru to the club this winter.
Another Nigerian midfielder is on the payroll of the club. Azubuike Okechukwu is on the payroll of the Turkish side but is currently on a season-long loan at Yeni Malatyaspor.
Henry Onyekuru was a member of the Super Eagles to the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon. He had a brief appearance in the Super Eagles final group game before they crashed out to Tunisia in the Round-of-16.
This article was most recently revised and updated 3 years ago
