Ojodu City FC forward, Hafiz Ibrahim is on the verge of joining Norwegian giants Bodø and Glimt; npflupdates.com reports.
Hafiz Ibrahim was part of the Ojodu City FC team that played at the 2024 Viareggio Cup in Italy.
The teenager finished the tournament as the highest goalscorer with ten goals in six games, helping his club reach the semi-final in its first Viareggio Cup outing.
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Reports in Nigeria has it that former Italian champions Inter Milan, Milan and Fiorentina are all interested in Hafiz Ibrahim.
According to the reports, the player’s market value has risen from around €1,000 to a whooping €500,000.
Hafiz Ibrahim nears a move to Bodø and Glimt
Football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, exclusively reported that Hafiz Ibrahim is close to joining Bodø and Glimt in the Eliteserien.
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“Understand FK Bodø/Glimt have now closing in on deal to sign Nigerian 18 year old striker Ibrahim Hafiz Umar, the agreement is being finalised.
“Hafiz would join FK Bodø/Glimt from Ojodu City Academy in Nigeria,” Fabrizio Romano tweeted on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle.
Clubs in the Norwegian Eliteserien are notable when it comes to signing players from the Nigerian market. Players like Akor Adams, Victor Boniface, Igoh Ogbu, Fegor Ogude, Gift Orban amongst others had their developments at Norwegian clubs.
In a related transfer development, Napoli President Aurelio Di Laurentiis, hinted on Osimhen’s release clause.
According to the Italian businessman, clubs who’d like to sign Osimhen before his contract with Napoli expires will have to pay heavily for his release clause.
“Some players stay for many years, others are wanted by PSG, Arsenal, Man City, Chelsea…”.
“It’s difficult to keep players when they are wanted by rich clubs,” Laurentiis was quoted by Fabrizio Romano.
He added, “I can confirm there’s a release clause(on Osimhen), very high one.”
In another transfer story Weder Bremen forward, Justin Gideon Njinmah, identifies Super Eagles interest as a source of motivation.
Born in Germany to a Nigerian parent, and with Nigeria as an option, the 23-year-old will face stiff competition in Super Eagles attack, as Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Osimhen and Victor Boniface are all doing well with their clubs.
“Nick Woltemade showed me in the dressing room that that was in the article. When you hear that you’re on the national team’s list and they notice you, it motivates every player to keep going and get even better. If you continue to improve now, it might not be as far off as you always imagined,” Njinmah said in quotes revealed by Sports Bild.
Also in another transfer story, Bologna forward Joshua Zirkzee, reveals his interest in playing for the Super Eagles of Nigeria
While speaking to Algemeen Dagblad via soccernews, Zirkzee revealed that he will be open to playing for Nigeria if he doesn’t receive a call-up from the Netherlands senior team, as he is also eligible for to represent the European country.
“But Nigeria is not a country that you just choose because you cannot play for your homeland. The competition there for attackers is perhaps just as great as in the Dutch team.
“Nigeria has Boniface from Leverkusen and Osimhen from Napoli. And they have many more attackers.
“It’s not like I can think for a moment: The Netherlands isn’t calling, then I’ll choose Nigeria. Are they even pulling on me? Maybe.
“But my dream has always been the Dutch national team. And the European Championships are not necessarily a crossroads. Like, if that doesn’t happen then, I’ll look further.
“I’d be grateful if it did happen. If not, I have to make sure they call me. You hope to be there one day.”