Former Arsenal hero Nwankwo Kanu assisted in brokering the deal that took Nigeria U17s skipper Kelechi Nwakali to Arsenal, according to a source involved in negotiations.

The Gunners manager Arsene Wenger had expressed an interest in signing the central midfielder after scouting him at the 2015 Fifa Under 17 World Cup and contacted Kanu to get the player by all means possible.

“Kanu Nwankwo has played for Arsenal, so Arsene Wenger contacted him to ask about Nwakali. Through him, Arsenal were able to sign the player, ” the source told allnigeriasoccer.com.

“Nwakali has an agent, Stellar Group, but Kanu was brought in because he is close to us, so we connected him with the British agent.

“Arsenal followed him during the World Cup. Manchester City wanted him even before the tournament but told him to train with the Academy team before being offered a contract, so the deal collapsed.”

The Golden Eaglets skipper and his elder brother Allwell Nwakali have been in London since Wednesday, March 16 finalizing the details of the five-year contract.

Chelsea and West Ham had been in the running for the signature of Kelechi Nwakali but were beaten by Arsenal.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel