Nigerian teenage sensation, Kelechi Nwakali, is set to train with English Premier League (EPL) giants Arsenal ahead of the start of the 2016-2017 campaign.
The central midfielder, who impressed at the 2015 FIFA Under-17 World Cup – winning the Golden Ball, is reportedly close to inking a five-year deal with Arsenal.
According to a representative of the Diamond/ASJ Academy(Nwakali’s nursery team), Arsenal will only begin processing Nwakali’s work permit in the summer.
“Kelechi Nwakali is not coming back to Nigeria, he has gone to London to stay. He will do pre-season training with Arsenal,” an unnamed Diamond/ASJ Academy representative said.
“It is no longer in our hands if he’ll train with the first team or the Academy, they know the best for him. His application for a work permit can only be processed after he clocks 18,” the source added.
Nwakali was instrumental as Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets went all the way to clinch the 2015 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Chile.
