Arsenal have reportedly dropped their
interest in Super Eagles defender Godfrey Oboabona as manager Arsene
Wenger is not convince the Sunshine Stars player has what it takes to
play at the top level.
Meanwhile, French Ligue 1 side
Valencienes have made an official bid for the 22-year-old, who has been
in top form in the domestic league.
Oboabona, who has also been linked
with French sides Rennes and Lille since he won the South Africa 2013
Africa Cup of Nations, reportedly underwent a trial with Arsenal last
month in a bid to win a contract with his boyhood club.
Reports during the week said Wenger
wanted the versatile player to replace Switzerland ‘s Johan Djourou,
who is on loan at German Bundesliga club Hannover 96.
According to Metro, the Gunners
boss decided against offering Oboabona a deal, preferring to keep tabs
on his progress by sending scouts to watch him at games in the Nigerian
Professional Football League.
Sources said Arsenal fear they face a
battle with the Home Office to secure a work permit for the player who
has played 16 times for Nigeria to wrap up the transfer.
Newcastle are said to be interested in
the Akure-born player, with the Magpies manager Alan Pardew ready to
make a bid for the defender, who made his name after nullifying the
threat from Didier Drogba when Nigeria and Ivory Coast clashed in the
quarterfinal of South Africa 2013.
Oboabona, who has a £1m price tag on his head, has been on form for Sunshine Stars since the season began.
“The only team who have tabled a bid
for Oboabona are Valencienes,” Sunshine Stars chief Mike Idoko was
quoted as saying on Friday.
Hmmmmmm
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