Everton attacker Ademola Lookman has played regularly at England youth levels.
Lookman has been a player England have kept tabs on for a long-time, as he has been part of their younger age groups.
However, there are now some doubts over whether the Everton man is going to commit his future to the Three Lions.
Southgate claims that Nigeria are also keen on Lookman, and England are having to try very hard to keep the Everton man from representing another nation.
“I know every country is quite aggressive in their recruiting and I know they have always had an interest in him, but he is playing and has been in our squads, the 20s, 21s,” Southgate said.
“So in terms of encouragement through game time, we are doing as much as we possibly can.”
Lookman is yet to break into Everton’s team fully, although there are high hopes for him at Goodison Park.
The youngster actually appeared to push for a move this summer with Red Bull Leipzig interested, but Marco Silva held off the German side’s interest to keep the prospect around.
The £11m signing (BBC Sport) is yet to start a Premier League match for Everton this term, but is expected to get game-time as the campaign progresses.
The Toffees are next in action when they take on West Ham United at the weekend.
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