Nigeria Handed Boost In Saka Pursuit As Arsenal Winger Left Out Of Latest England Squad

Nigeria Football Federation have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Bukayo Saka with the Arsenal winger omitted from the latest England squad list announced by the English Football Association on Tuesday afternoon, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

England boss Gareth Southgate has handed maiden senior call-ups to three players including Manchester United's Mason Greenwood, Manchester City's Phil Foden and Leeds United's Kalvin Phillips, but there's no place on the 24-man roster for Saka amid speculation that he was in contention to earn his first invitation to the Three Lions.

Southgate was at Wembley Stadium last month to run the rule over exciting youngsters Greenwood and Foden in the semifinals of the Emirates FA Cup but Saka missed an opportunity to show off his skills as he remained rooted to the bench for the entirety of clash against Manchester City.

Assuming the Anglo-Nigerian was called up and featured in any of the UEFA Nations League matches against Iceland (Sept 5) and Denmark (Sept 8), he would have become cap-tied to his country of birth.

An England U19 international, Saka would jump two age groups if he is selected for England's U21 EURO qualifiers against Kosovo and Austria scheduled to take place next month.

The Hale End Academy product is on the radar of Super Eagles chief scout in England, Tunde Adelakun ahead of a possible call-up to the Nigeria squad should he decide to switch allegiance.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : arsenal.com