Exclusive : Carpi Leapfrog Sporting Braga In Race For HB Koge Striker Olajide Owolabi

Italian Serie A side Carpi are set to beat Portugal’s Sporting Braga to the signature of Nigeria U23 attacker, Olajide Owolabi, allnigeriasoccer.com understands.

Braga had been interested in the left-footed attacker and held preliminary talks with his representatives in early January, but failed to follow their interest with a bid.

Owolabi, 20, currently plays for Nyokobing, on loan from HB Koge, both in Denmark and has been interesting the Portuguese club, who sent scouts to watch the player last year.

But Carpi are now set to steal the march on the Nigerian youngster, in a bid to bolster their attack line as they struggle to remain in the Serie A, after gaining promotion last year.

The Italian club already have another Nigerian in their ranks, Jerry Mbakogu, but have struggled for goals in Serie A, scoring just 21 in 22 goals and are hoping Owolabi can help revive their season.

Owolabi was a part of Nigeria’s U23 team that prepared for the U23 Africa Cup of Nations last year, but couldn’t make the competition proper as the it wasn’t scheduled within the FIFA free window period.