David Odogu: Chelsea, Man Utd suffer blow in pursuit of CB likened to Beckenbauer by Nigeria great Odegbami

Manchester United and Chelsea have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of 2023 Fifa U17 World Cup-wining central defender of Nigerian descent, David Odogu. 

Odogu emerged as a target for the Premier League giants after putting himself in the shop window during the Fifa U17 World Cup, where he went the distance in all but one of the matches contested by Germany.

The central defender is unlikely to be moving to the Premier League this summer, with Wolfsburg announcing on Friday morning that he has signed a new long-term deal before the start of the new Bundesliga season.

Wolfsburg confirmed that he attracted attention last December when he won the U17 World Cup with Germany in Indonesia.

Chelsea reportedly held talks with the player's camp over a transfer after the tournament in Indonesia. 

After making 55 appearances combined for Wolfsburg's U17 and U19 teams, the dual-national defender has been promoted to the first team on a full-time basis.

Odogu has been likened to late Germany international and two-time Ballon d'Or winner Franz Beckenbauer by Nigeria great Segun Odegbami. 

The 1980 Africa Cup of Nations winner wrote in March 2024: "He is currently one of the most sought-after players in Europe by some of the biggest clubs - Juventus, Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund, and so on.

"Teams are all asking about this prodigious, young, quick, tall, strong and very intelligent Central Defender - a libero.

"David is already being likened to the legendary late former Captain and former Coach of the German National team, Franz Berkenbauer, one of the greatest German footballers ever, one of only two footballers  in history to be have been named World Footballer of the Year (1972 and 1976) whilst playing at centre back position. "

Born in Berlin eighteen years ago, Odogu joined Wolfsburg in 2020 after stops at SSC Südwest, Hertha 03 Zehlendorf and Union Berlin.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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