England’s established Nigerian internationals are preparing to shoulder major responsibilities again, while new arrivals and returning talents across the Premier League and Serie A have added fresh momentum to the Super Eagles’ European contingent.
At Fulham, continuity remains central to the club’s plans in west London, with Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey still occupying important roles. The pair helped provide consistency last season, and manager Marco Silva is expected to depend on them once more across the demanding Premier League schedule. Bassey offers strength, adaptability and composure at centre-back, giving Fulham a modern foundation from which to build attacks. Iwobi, meanwhile, remains valuable for his ability to create, carry possession through central areas and contribute tirelessly, qualities that keep him firmly established in the starting side.
Ola Aina begins the campaign at Nottingham Forest under new head coach Oliver Glasner. The German coach places a premium on movement, energy and tactical precision from his wide players, requirements that appear to have encouraged Aina to aim higher in front of goal. The full-back has challenged himself to score five times this season. It is an ambitious target for a player primarily deployed at full-back or wing-back, but it reflects the attacking development he has shown during recent seasons at the City Ground. Aina has also strengthened his commitment to Forest by agreeing a contract extension that runs until 2028, and he is expected to remain an important option on either side of Glasner’s system.
Taiwo Awoniyi has made the summer’s most prominent move between English clubs involving a Nigerian international. The powerful forward left Forest for newly promoted Coventry City in a headline transfer reported at an initial £9 million (€19.9m). He could make his competitive debut for the Sky Blues in Friday’s demanding Premier League opener at Arsenal, an opponent against whom he has enjoyed notable success. Awoniyi scored three times in six meetings with the Gunners during his Forest career, including a late goal that enabled him to equal Stan Collymore’s 28-year-old club record of scoring in successive Premier League matches.
The switch offers Awoniyi an opportunity to rebuild his momentum after a difficult fitness-hit season at Forest. He made only three starts and 17 appearances in total, although he still found the net four times. This week, he completed his first uninterrupted training sessions at Coventry’s Sky Blue Lodge under Frank Lampard. He will also link up with fellow Nigerian Frank Onyeka, whose loan has been extended. Their continued presence gives Coventry two seasoned Super Eagles players as the club prepares for a difficult battle to remain in the top flight.
Victor Osimhen remains at the centre of transfer discussion beyond England, despite continuing his career outside the Premier League for the time being. The striker is still with Galatasaray, where his prolific record in Turkey has kept him among Europe’s leading forwards. Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United continue to be regularly mentioned as possible destinations in the speculation surrounding his future.
That ongoing interest provided the setting for a playful exchange during an Instagram Live session this week. Forest defender Aina asked his international teammate which Premier League club he would select if he were given the choice. Osimhen responded jokingly that Aina should tell the audience he would call back privately because the issue was confidential. Aina accepted the escape route and moved the discussion towards Osimhen’s impressive scoring record in Turkey. Osimhen has previously said he does not support one particular English club, though he has explained that, while growing up, he owned shirts from both Chelsea and Manchester United because of the influence of his older brother.
Nigerian numbers rise in Serie A
Although Ademola Lookman left Italy earlier this year in a major move from Atalanta to La Liga challengers Atlético Madrid, the number of Nigerians in Serie A has increased substantially ahead of the new season.
Samuel Chukwueze has made an immediate impression in pre-season at AC Milan. Beginning his second complete campaign at San Siro, the winger produced an outstanding display against Manchester United in a high-profile friendly, scoring once and setting up two further goals. The performance has strengthened his case for a regular starting position on Milan’s right flank.
In Udine, goalkeeper Maduka Okoye is continuing to develop as Udinese’s established first-choice stopper. He will aim to carry forward the authority and consistency he showed during a number of strong defensive performances last season.
Venezia have made the largest transfer investment among the Nigerian players in Italy by breaking their club record to sign Akor Adams from Sevilla. The newly promoted side agreed to pay €17 million, with additional bonuses linked to performance, and handed the striker a four-year contract worth €1.5 million per season. Adams enhanced his reputation after joining Sevilla from Montpellier in January 2025. In the 2025/26 La Liga season, he led the Spanish club’s league scoring charts with 10 goals and three assists in 36 matches, helping Sevilla negotiate a challenging campaign and retain their top-flight place.
Venezia coach Giovanni Stroppa has welcomed the arrival of the striker, describing Adams as an important type of player who can make a major contribution to the squad. Stroppa also indicated that, together with sporting director Antonelli, the club’s next priority in the transfer market is to improve its defensive security.
Another newly promoted club, Frosinone, have concentrated on strengthening their back line with the free-agent signing of Kevin Akpoguma. The versatile centre-back joined after his contract with TSG Hoffenheim expired and has agreed terms until June 2028. Akpoguma departs Hoffenheim having played 179 Bundesliga matches, scoring three goals and supplying five assists.
Born in Germany, Akpoguma represented the country at several youth levels before changing his international allegiance to Nigeria in October 2020. He has since collected eight senior caps for the Super Eagles. Regular Serie A football with Frosinone could help him push for selection under national coach Eric Chelle as Nigeria looks ahead to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
Completing the latest Nigerian movement in Italy is midfielder Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, who has moved from Inter Milan to Monza for the season. The agreement contains a €7.5 million option to buy, which can become compulsory if specified sporting conditions are met. Inter have also retained a 10 per cent share of any future transfer fee through a sell-on clause.
Akinsanmiro spent last season gaining senior experience during a loan spell at Pisa. His move to Monza now gives him the chance to play regularly in Italy’s highest division and measure himself against Serie A opposition.
With Nigeria’s established Premier League figures maintaining important roles and a new generation taking on greater responsibility in Italy, the Super Eagles’ European group enters the new season with significant aims. Some will pursue domestic honours, others will fight to preserve top-flight status, while all will be competing to remain part of the national-team picture in what promises to be another demanding campaign.
