Chelsea and Arsenal missed out on signing Athletic Bilbao's Spanish-Nigerian winger

Two Premier League clubs reportedly missed out on signing Spanish-born Nigerian winger Elijah Gift. 

According to Spanish daily newspaper El Pais, Chelsea and Arsenal wanted to sign him prior to his transfer to La Liga outfit Athletic Bilbao. 

The Red and Whites confirmed the capture of Gift on Wednesday, subject to the issuance of an International Transfer Certificate, and it is understood the highly rated youngster put pen to paper on a five-year contract until June 30, 2028.

Liverpool have given him permission to begin training with Athletic Bilbao's youth team led by Carlos Gurpegui, having agreed a transfer fee of one million euros. 

The Anfield club were keen on keeping the player on the back of his outstanding performances for their U18 team last season but they were tempted by the offer from Athletic Bilbao. 

An inverted winger in the mould of Villarreal star Samuel Chukwueze, Gift was a contender for Liverpool's Goal of the Month for January and April in the 2022-2023 season.

Born to a Nigerian father and a mother from  Navarra with Cuban descent, Gift was approached to play for England's youth teams but decided to pledge his international future to his country of birth. 

The 17-year-old registered three goals and three assists in seventeen matches in the U18 Premier League last season.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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