Aston Villa become the latest English Premier League side to express an interest in Azeez

NEWLY-crowned Europa League champions Aston Villa have become the latest English Premier League club to enquire about Super Eagles new-kid-on-the-block Femi Azeez who recently helped Nigeria win the Unity Cup in London.

Azeez, 24, was the star of the show last Tuesday, scoring twice when Nigeria beat Zimbabwe 2-0 in the opening game of the 2026 Unity Cup. He then provided an assist for team mate Terem Morfi for the second goal in the final when Nigeria beat Jamaica 3-0 to lift the Unity Cup.

Currently plying his trade with Milwall in the second tier of English football, Azeez and his team mates failed to gain promotion to the Premier League despite ending the season in third place, as they lost the play-off to Semi Ajayi's Hull City. However, it is looking unlikely that Azeez will be playing in the second tier of English football next season.

Despite Milwall not being promoted, Azeez enjoyed a successful campaign during the 2025/26 season, scoring 11 goals and providing eight assists in 37 appearances across all competitions. This form, along with his latest performance for the national team has attracted suitors, with newly-promoted Ipswich being the first to present a formal  €20m bid.

However, according to FootballInsider, Milwall want a higher fee for the player who still has two years left on his contract. If anything, Azeez's cost might have gone up over the last few days, as he is now the first Nigerian player to score a brace while making his international debut.

Over the last 24 hours, it has emerged that Villa have expressed an interest in the winger, who is sitting out Nigeria's next friendly against Portugal after Milwall asked that he be given a rest. Of late, Villa has attracted comparisons to former Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion forward Osaze Odemwingie, who dazzled fans with his mesmerising runs when he played for the Super Eagles.

Azeez, who was included in the 2025/26 English Football League Championship Team of the Year, said that while he appreciates the comparison with Osaze, he would prefer to make a name for himself. He added that he is hoping to return to the Super Eagles and play alongside the likes of Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman.

“I was really happy when I got the call from the manager as I was honoured and very proud,” he continued. I'd love to play with Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen as they're among the best players in Africa, so naturally I want to learn from them and improve my game,” Femi Azeez added.

Nigeria will face Portugal in Lisbon next Tuesday with head coach Eric Chelle using the opportunity to try out several new players. He has just invited Genk fullback Christian Akpan to camp and he is likely to try him out at rightback, where another new boy Abdullahi Bewen of Czech side Banik Ostrau who made his debut against Poland on Wednesday, shinning like a thousand stars.