Manchester City Close in on Chidi Nwakali

Nwakali, who was a key figure in the Nigeria squad which won the Under-17 World Cup in November, flew to Manchester from Lagos with his parents to hold talks with City chiefs on January 2.

If a deal is completed, Nwakali will earn £300,000 a year in wages, fees and add-ons from the day he turns 18 on December 26.

Nwakali is also adept at playing in defense and currently represents Shuttle Sports Academy in Lagos.

The move follows a failed attempt to sign 17-year-old striker Kelechi Iheanacho, who has verbally agreed a deal with Porto amid heavy interest from City.

Iheanacho played alongside Nwakali in Nigeria’s Under-17 World Cup triumph and ended as the tournament’s top scorer with six goals.