Allnigeriasoccer.com can exclusively report that Nigerian-born defensive midfielder Tim Akinola is attracting concrete interest from English and foreign clubs.

Akinola was left out of Arsenal's development squad traveling squad to Spain, where they held a training camp in preparation for the forthcoming season, as he's expected to leave the Emirates Stadium before the close of the summer transfer window.

The 22-year-old has been training with the Arsenal players expected to be moved on this summer including Miguel Azeez, and he stepped up his fitness by going the distance in Tuesday's behind-closed-door friendly.

Nine-time Azerbaijan Premier League champions, Neftci Baku are interested in signing  Akinola, and high-level talks have been held with a view to the midfielder joining the club on a permanent deal. 

Akinola is also considering a proposal from newly-promoted EFL League One club Stevenage, who want to bolster their midfield ranks this summer. 

The former Lincoln City and Huddersfield youth teamer is also attracting interest from some unnamed Turkish Super Lig clubs. 

Akinola experienced his first taste of senior football during a loan spell at Dundee United in the second half of the 2021-2022 season and was loaned out to Chesterfield in the National League last term. 

He trained with Nigeria's Olympic National Team in Ibadan before a 2023 Africa U23 Cup of Nations qualifier against Tanzania last October. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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