Suggestions that Nigeria U20 international Kelechi Nwakali has been loaned out to Dutch Eredivisie outfit VVV Venlo for the whole of the 2017-2018 campaign are not entirely correct, his representative and elder brother Allwell Nwakali has insisted.

VVV Venlo are among the teams keeping tabs on the attacking midfielder but face competition from other teams in Europe not limited to FC Utrecht and Swiss powerhouse FC Basel.

''We are not yet through with VVV Venlo, it is not an authentic information, we have other options,'' Allwell Nwakali told allnigeriasoccer.com.

''So many teams have contacted us that they want to take Kelechi on loan. We are also in talks with FC Utrecht and FC Basel.

''If he joins Basel in Switzerland, he will have the opportunity to play in the Champions League, but nothing has been decided.''

The 19-year-old Nwakali penned a five-year deal with the Gunners last summer thanks to his sparkling display at the 2015 Fifa U17 World Cup, but the Emirates outfit can't register him because he has not received a work permit.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel