Golden Eaglets’ Yahaya Lawali wanted by Barcelona, top European clubs

Golden Eaglets defender, Yahaya Lawali is wanted by Barcelona and some other top European clubs in countries like France and Belgium ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window.

Lawali was the brightest spot for Nigeria during the 2023 Under-17 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Algeria which saw the Golden Eaglets exit the competition in the quarter-finals.

The right-back featured in all of the Golden Eaglets’ four games at the ongoing U-17 AFCON which will end this weekend even as he won the Man of the Match award on two occasions.

Lawali was named Man of the Match against both Zambia and Morocco and the 16-year-old was also included in the group stage Best X1 by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

The Team of the Group Stage was unveiled by the Tournament’s Technical Study Group (TGI) and published on CAF’s U-17 AFCON Twitter handle on Saturday.

The Guardian has now learnt that the Mahanaim FC player who can also play as a left-back and midfielder is drawing the attention of Barcelona and some clubs in France and Belgium.

“U-17 Wonderkid & @mahanaimFC product, Yahaya Lawali is being chased by Barcelona plus top clubs in France & Belgium,” top Nigerian photo-journalist, Poojah tweeted.

“Remember that he won the man of the match twice and was selected in the Group Stage XI by CAF at the U17 AFCON.”