Carpi frontman Jerry Mbakogu has applied for an Italian passport ahead of a potential move to Leeds United in the summer transfer window, according to reports.

The Daily Mail has reported that the 25-year-old Nigerian has applied for a dual Italian passport as he has been in Italy since he was a teenager and that could help smooth a deal for Leeds in the summer rather than wait on a work permit.

That said, the attacker is unlikely to get a United Kingdom work permit for the simple reason that he has no caps for the Nigerian national team even though he has pledged his international future to the Super Eagles.

Born in Lagos, Mbakogu has spent at least fifteen years in Italy and is qualified to be granted Italian citizenship.

Mbakogu may not be as prolific but he has been likened to former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba due to his physical presence and pace.

To date, he has scored 52 career goals in 209 appearances since he made his professional debut.

Mbakogu was rated in the region of 3.5 million pounds by Carpi last month.

Igho Kingsley