Allnigeriasoccer.com understands that Southampton are in advanced talks with promising Nigerian defender Oludare Olufunwa over a new deal.

The highly-rated teenager is in the second year of his scholarship with The Saints, meaning he could walk away as a free agent at the end of this season, if talks are not fruitful.

Olufunwa has been offered his first professional contract and talks are gathering pace though not yet finalized.

He has had an outstanding season, starting with the U18s before he was promoted to the U23s and has been converted from a central defender to a right back by the youth-team coaches.

Apart from featuring in the Premier League 2, he also made appearances in the FA Youth Cup and Premier League International Cup.

Born in Southampton to a Nigerian father and English mom, he is open to representing the Flying Eagles at next month's FIFA U20 World Cup and it is understood that his representatives have made initial contact with the national team's coaching staff.

Olufunwa joined Southampton in 2010 following a successful trial after he was spotted playing for a local club.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel