The Super Eagles news scene is abuzz with the reports of Under-17 Golden Eaglets fullback, Yahaya Lawali, being on the radar of Barcelona.
Lawali was one of the shining lights of the Golden Eaglets run up to the quarter finals of the ongoing U-17 AFCON tournament in Algeria.
π³π¬ RB Yahaya Lawali (2006) had a blinder of an U17 AFCON, despite early exit to π§π«. Dynamic wingback runs tirelessly to offer attacking options, recovering defensively with his pace. Not always clean but highly effective. Featured on group stage best XI.https://t.co/ndiolgIxOG pic.twitter.com/Vdau13DRTj
— Vylela (@Vylela1) May 15, 2023
His performances were not able to help the team scale through to the semi finals and book a ticket to the FIFA U-17 World Cup, but it was enough to earn him two man of the match awards and an inclusion in the tournament's team of the group stages.
Lawali, who currently plays for non-league side Mahanaim FC of Abuja, is now onyah the radar of the 2022/23 Spanish LaLiga champions Barcelona, according to reports.
The Spanish giants are looking to sign the Nigeria Super Eagles hopeful for their La Masia academy where they will develop him into a player worthy of first team football for them or another team.
β½ The young revelations of the AFCON U-17! π
π²π± Ousmane Simpara: 15 years old
π§π« Chabane Camara: 17 years old
π²π± Mamadou Doumbia: 17 years old
π¨π¬ Abiga Tsimba: 15 years old
πΈπ³ Amara Diouf: 14 years old
π³π¬ Yahaya Lawali: 15 years#TotalEnergiesAFCONU17 #AFCONU17 #U17AFCON pic.twitter.com/tGhcx0yli9— Pan-Africa Football (@PanAfricaFooty) May 15, 2023
Lawali was born in Zamfara state but joined Mahanaim FC after the side scouted him while he was playing in a local tournament in Kaduna. He moved from there to the U-17 team, with whom he has participated in two tournaments: the 2022 WAFU U-17 Cup and the 2023 U-17 AFCON.
It was at the WAFU U-17 Cup, sources claim, that the Barcelona scouts first noticed him. The Catalans are not alone in their pursuit of the versatile fullback, however.
French Ligue 1 clubs RC Lens, Olympique Lyonnais and Strasbourg have also indicated interest to both Mahanaim FC and his family. RSC Anderlecht and KAA Gent, both in Belgium, have also made a move for him.
Gent is the home of current Super Eagles prospect and AFCON 2023 hopeful Gift Orban.
In Spain, Barcelona is being challenged by Sevilla for Lawali's signature. However, his family, who have the main say in the move due to him being a minor, is considering all the offers with a focus on “career growth”.
This article was most recently revised and updated 2 years ago