Despite Nigeria’s early AFCON U17 exit, Yahaya Lawali might have done enough to attract interest from top European clubs.
The Golden Eaglets lost out in the AFCON U17 Quarter-final after a 2-1 loss to Burkina Faso.
Sources revealed that FC Barcelona is joining other top European clubs to target the sensational Nigeria U17 right-back Yahaya Lawali.
Lawali won back-to-back Man of the Match Awards in group games against Zambia and Morocco, making him one of the tournament’s top stars.
Sources within his management, Player Solution Agency, revealed that French Ligue 1 clubs such as Lens, Lyon, and Strasbourg are in the lead for his signature.
The versatile 16-year-old can play as a right-back, left-back, midfielder, and winger.
He made the Team of the Tournament during the WAFU B regional U17 qualifying tournament which Nigeria won in the summer of 2022.
Following his three assists from four matches, Nigeria dispatched Ghana, Togo, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso on their way to lifting the trophy.
Sevilla FC of Spain, Anderlecht FC and Gent FC of Belgium are some other teams ready to snap up the Mahanaim FC starlet.
Yahaya Lawali played all of Nigeria’s 360 minutes at the AFCON U17.
He had a hand in Nigeria’s equalizing goal against South Africa. His corner kick was flicked on by a South African defender for a goal scored by Charles Agada.
He made many attacking and defensive runs, delivered short crosses to the box and intercepted many balls during the AFCON U17.
Considering Nigeria’s track record of producing stars at the U17 level, such as Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze, Kelechi Iheanacho, Taiwo Awoniyi and others, who have become global stars.
It will be interesting to see where Yahaya Lawali, a defender, continues his football development.
Lawali was nominated for the AFCON U17 Team of the Group stage.