Arsenal of England attacker, Alex Iwobi could become the next Nigerian player to star for SS Lazio of Italy, following reports that the Rome-based side are interested in snatching him from The Gunners.
Lazio have a strong Nigerian tradition that dates back to former Super Eagles striker, Stephen Ayodele Makinwa in their squad, before Seyi Adeleke, Sani Emmanuel and Eddy Ogenyi Onazi followed suit, such that their interest in Iwobi might not be misplaced.
However, with Iwobi having already joined Arsenal on their pre-season tour of Singapore, English Premier League watchers are of a view that Lazio’s desire might be far-fetched.
Nonetheless, reports in Italy state that the Serie A side are considering a €25 m offer for Iwobi, along with his Arsenal teammate, Lucas Perez.
Also named alongside Iwobi are Sevilla’s Joaquin Correa and Atletico Madrid’s Angel Correa, with the Super Eagles star touted as a direct replacement for Felipe Anderson who left Stadio Olimpico this summer to join West Ham United in a club record transfer fee of £36m.
The 29-year-old Spaniard is more likely to be sold as the Perez has just returned to the club after a season on loan with Deportivo La Coruna and there is no obvious place in the Arsenal squad for the left winger.
Iwobi played in that position in his first match for Nigeria at the World Cup assignment with Nigeria and, though he appeared to struggle for form, Lazio are keen to try him out in same role.
The 22-year-old spent most of that time holidaying with his family and going about image promotional business, but at the tweeted that his next destination is Singapore, not Rome.
Iwobi’s message came after Arsenal’s new boss, Unai Emery led the team in an 8-0 win over Boreham Wood, but will this week Thursday and Saturday face bigger tests against Atletico Madrid and PSG in the 2018 International Champions Cup.
Arsenal confirmed that Iwobi was one of three first team players that travelled with the squad from London to Singapore on Sunday.
Additional information revealed that Iwobi will extend his current contract with the Gunners until 2022, thereby snubbing offers from Lazio, Everton and AC Milan.
Iwobi’s previous deal, signed in 2015, ran until 2020, but appears ready to extend with Arsenal, who have signed five new players ahead of the 2018/2019 season and have been busy handing out new contracts to their current haul of star players.
