This year’s Premier League summer transfer window officially opens on Monday, with some Nigerian footballers already on the move to join new clubs, while others await their fate amid transfer links.
It will run until Tuesday, September 1, and this window allows clubs to sign new players for the 2026/2027 season.
Transfer activities are expected to be high despite the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Other European top-flight leagues, Serie A will commence officially on June 29, La Liga, Ligue 1, and Bundesliga will commence officially on July 1, respectively and all will close on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, for the new season.
Take a look at some of the Nigerian players as they scramble for new clubs this summer window.
Victor Osimhen
The Super Eagles striker has been linked with a move away from Galatasaray.
Osimhen joined Galatasaray from Napoli on a permanent transfer last year, helping the club to win the Turkish Super Lig title last season.
The 27-year-old has like three years remaining in his contract with Galatasaray, but he has been linked with several European clubs, including Manchester United, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Juventus, and Real Madrid.
It’s yet to be seen if Osimhen will end up leaving Galatasaray because there is a lot of interest in him.
Samuel Chukwueze
His contract at Fulham is set to expire on June 30, 2026. The Super Eagles winger spent the whole of last season on loan at the Premier League club from AC Milan.
Chukwueze’s original AC Milan contract runs until June 30, 2028, but it’s yet to be seen if Fulham will sign him on a permanent transfer this summer.
The 27-year-old did not really impress at Fulham as he scored just three goals and provided four assists in all competitions for the club.
Stanley Nwabali
Nwabali’s future is expected to be sorted this summer.
The Nigerian goalkeeper is a subject of interest from Tanzanian Premier League club, Azam FC.
Azam FC are ready to battle South African club, Kaizer Chiefs and Simba FC of Tanzania for the 29-year-old’s signature.
It was reported that Nwabali attracted interest from some clubs in Europe and Saudi Arabia.
Nwabali left Chippa United in February after requesting his contract to be terminated and has not signed for any club since then.
Zadok Yohanna
The Nigerian youngster has joined Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion on a permanent transfer.
Yohanna joined the Seagulls from Swedish club AIK on a five-year contract.
Brighton beat other Premier League clubs, Newcastle United and Chelsea to the signature of the winger.
Kelechi Iheanacho
Iheanacho’s future at Celtic remains uncertain heading into this summer transfer window.
The Nigerian striker joined the Scottish champions from LaLiga club Sevilla on a free transfer last summer.
His contract is set to expire on June 30, but Celtic has an option to extend for an additional 12 months.
The former Manchester City star was impressive for Celtic last season as he helped them to win the Scottish top-flight league title.
Following his performance for Celtic, former Aston Villa striker, Alan McInally urged Celtic manager Martin O’Neill to keep Iheanacho at the club beyond this summer.
Joe Aribo
The Nigerian midfielder is currently a free agent after officially departing Southampton following the expiration of his contract this summer.
The 29-year-old is exploring his next destination, with former club Glasgow Rangers closely monitoring his situation to bring him back to Scotland.
Aribo is expected to join a new club before the summer transfer window closes.
Respected journalist, Femi Fabunmi, while speaking with Daily Post about the subject matter, gave his views on some of the Nigerian players amid the summer transfer window.
“Stanley Nwabali will definitely join Simba FC of Tanzania. Paperwork is being finalised at the moment, and the deal will be announced sooner than later,” Fabunmi said.
“Another sure banker is Victor Osimhen; there are great possibilities that he will be joining Real Madrid.
“There’s this thing with Jose Mourinho of liking African players as point men, and he has said he wants Osimhen.
“The only caveat is that he would play second fiddle to Mbappe, and if he doesn’t like that, Chelsea is another alternative.
“Joe Aribo, who recently left Southampton, is being hunted by Rangers of Scotland.
“Wonderkid, Zadok Yohanna, signed for Brighton, and we expect some other players to also make significant moves.
“It’s still early to predict which players will move or not, but many Nigerian-born players will definitely sign this summer, which you can take to the bank,” he said.
