Arsenal midfielder Kelechi Nwakali now looks set for season-long loan at Dutch side Breda

SUPER Eagles playmaker Kelechi Nwakali appears to no longer be joining Portuguese giants Porto on loan over the forthcoming season after entering into an agreement with Dutch side NAC Breda to play for them during the 2018/17 campaign.

 

Currently an Arsenal player, Nwakali had been set to join Porto after the two clubs appeared to agree on a season-long loan as part of a long term plan to get him playing for the Gunners. After spending the last two seasons in Holland, Nwakali is keen to come to England but is unable to play in the Premiership due to work permit issues, which can only be resolved when he gets Super Eagles caps under his belt.

 

Nwakali, 20, captained Nigeria when the Golden Eaglets won the U-17 World Cup in 2015 and was subsequently signed by Arsenal, who spotted his talent and then loaned him out. Nwakali's  handlers had claimed that the midfielder had already agreed personal terms with Porto,  the 28-time Primeira Liga champions and was awaiting approval from the Gunners hierarchy before flying to Portugal to finalise the loan deal.

 

However, at the last minute, the deal appears to have collapsed with Breda coming in and offering what must have been a better deal. After agreeing to join the Dutch side, Nwakali posted pictures of himself posing on a chair with the crest of NAC Breda.

 

A mercurial playmaker seen as the key to the Super Eagles' future, Nwakali will be playing for his third club in the Netherlands after two previous seasons on loan to Venlo and Maastricht, where he had two different loan spells including the second half of last season. Heavily tipped to be invited for the Nigerian team for the upcoming African Nations Cup qualifier against Seychelles in September, Nwakali warmed his way into the heart of the Super Eagles head coach with a wonder strike for the B team in a 2-3 loss to Europa League winners Atletico Madrid in May.

 

Arsenal will be hoping Nwakali enjoys better times at Breda  after his failure to nail a spot in Venlo last season before dropping down a division to Maastricht in January. Since Nwakali turned professional, Nwakali, who is contracted to Arsenal until June 30, 2021, has played his best football at Maastricht, scoring 7 goals in 52 appearances in two different loan spells with the Dutch club.

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