Chinwike Okoli is a target for Premier League outfit Aston Villa with AllNigeriaSoccer reporting that the Millwall defender is also on the radar of Fulham, Cardiff City and AFC Bournemouth.
Top-flight clubs might have been forced to alter their rip up and start again in the post-Brexit era. But it’s a credit to Aston Villa that they have adapted so impressively to those pesky new regulations.
Not so long ago, Villa had made it their mission to bring some of the brightest young talent in European football to their Bodymoor Heath training ground, such as Lamare Bogarde, Oliwier Zych and Sil Swinkels.
But with Premier League sides no longer able to sign U18s from mainland Europe, the Midland giants have turned their attention to those closer to home.
Ben Chrisene, Tim Iroegbunam, Caleb Chukwuemeka, Kerr Smith, Thierry Katsukunya, Finn Azaz and more have all joined Aston Villa from British-based clubs.
And 18-year-old Okoli ticks plenty of boxes as far as Villa are concerned. He is young, homegrown, and highly-talented, the sort of signing that will not be inhibited by Brexit laws.
Will Aston Villa sign Millwall’s Chinwike Okoli?
AllNigeriaSoccer claim that Aston Villa are one of a number of sides keeping tabs on the 6ft 4ins centre-half. Fulham, Cardiff and Bournemouth are also watching the teenager closely.
Okoli is yet to make his first-team breakthrough at Millwall but that could change soon enough.
The Lions reportedly believe that Okoli, who has been training with Gary Rowett’s senior squad in recent months, is capable of making his mark at Championship level.
As such, negotiations regarding a new, long-term contract are underway. The lure of Aston Villa may be difficult to ignore, however, especially with Steven Gerrard now patrolling the touchline.
A highly-talented crop of claret-and-blue youngsters secured FA Youth Cup glory last season.
Furthermore, Carney Chukwuemeka, Cameron Archer and Jaden Philogene-Bidace have all forced their way into the first-team picture. One-time Bayern Munich target Chrisene will follow in their footsteps.
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