Transfer Watch: Nigeria’s Dele-Bashiru on the move?

The Nigerian prospect is high on the shortlist of several European clubs as his contract with Manchester City comes to an end.

Tom Dele-Bashiru has been at Manchester City since the age of seven years old, but the future star’s time with the club has come to an end after failing to agree terms with the English Champions earlier in the season.

Dele-Bashiru makes U20 World Cup squad

Capped for England at Under 16s level, the box-to-box midfielder has recently made the Nigerian under 20 squad for the upcoming U20 World Cup in Poland. While he failed to make a Premier League start for City, he had come on in the EFL Cup against Leicester when replacing fellow youngster Phil Foden.

It’s believed City were keen on keeping hold of Dele-Bashiru but talks broke down over the festive period with the player’s wage demands believed to be well over what the club wanted to pay the midfielder.

Despite only making one appearance in the senior team, Dele-Bashiru had made a good impression in some of the club’s youth games including last season’s FA Youth Cup defeat to Liverpool.

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He will be one of the Super Eagles key players in their World Cup next summer and some of Europe’s top clubs are already starting to circle around the free agent.

While Serie A side, Atlanta, were leading the charge, there’s now thought to be interest from Spain with Athletic Bilbao and Valencia both interested.

However, Dele Bashiru is reportedly more interested in a Premier League move with Liverpool, Arsenal and Crystal Palace interested in the youngster. Sources suggest Crystal Palace are leading the charge for the youngster with a shortage of midfield options at Selhurst Park.

Palace lead the charge

With first-team minutes likely to be a high priority and Roy Hodgson’s penchant for developing young players, it’s conceivable that a move South could be on the cards.

Featured Image Credit: Дмитрий Пукалик [CC BY-SA 3.0 GFDL]