After beating Italy to Calvin Bassey, Nigeria set to battle with four-time world champions for Juventus forward

The Italian Football Federation are ahead of their Nigerian counterparts in the race for the services of teenage Juventus forward Destiny Onoguekhan Elimoghale, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

Though Elimoghale was born in Italy fifteen years ago and can play for Nigeria due to his parentage, the four-time world champions have made the first move to provisionally cap-tie him.

Since making his debut against Scotland in November 2023, the dual-national player has earned thirteen caps for Italy's U15 national team.

Everything is pointing to the fact that Elimoghale has been promoted to Italy's U16 national team for the 2024-2025 season as he was initially named to the squad list for the upcoming double-header against England.

Elimoghale would have been in contention to make his U16s debut against the Young Lions on Tuesday evening at the Stadio delle Tre Fontane in Rome but withdrew from the roster and his spot was handed to Atalanta forward. Nicolò Amalfitano.

The Nigeria Football Federation won the recruitment battle for Fulham central defender Calvin Bassey, beating Italy to his services.

A native of Aosta in Italy, Bassey became cap-tied to the three time African champions when he came off the bench for the last sixteen minutes of a 2022 World Cup qualifier against the Black Stars of Ghana in Kumasi in March 2022, and took his total caps to 25 against Benin in June 2024.

Since the turn of the millennium, Italy have a history of beating Nigeria to key targets, having won the race for Angelo Ogbonna, Stefano Okaka, Destiny Udogie and Michael Folorunsho.

Highly-rated Fiorentina fullback Michael Kayode has already sparked a tug-of-war between Nigeria and Italy to represent their respective senior national teams.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit: figc.it 

Copyright ANS

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com