Lookman Ademola appears to have rebuffed Southgate's overtures and opted for Nigeria

EVERTON winger Ademola Lookman appears to have shunned the overtures from Gareth Southgate to play for England opting to switch his allegiance to Nigeria enabling him to feature for the Super Eagles.

Lookman, 20, is currently an England youth international, having played for the English U21 team after joining Everton from Charlton Athletic. He is currently out on loan to German side RB Leipzig, where he career has blossomed since he began seeing regular action at the club, which is keen to sign him permanently.

Earlier this week, Lookman confirmed that he is willing to consider playing for Nigeria having been approached by Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr. However, England manager Southgate, vowed to prevent Lookman switching his allegiance to Nigeria, saying he had plans for him over the long term.

Southgate who managed Lookman when he was in charge of the England U21 team, tried persuading the player to shun plans to represent Nigeria as he will make the step up to the senior national team of England. However, Lookman has made his mind up with his father particularly interested in seeing his son play for the Super Eagles of Nigeria instead of England.

Already Nigeria has initiated moves to have Fifa transfer Lookman's nationality. Under Fifa rules, if you have played for one country at youth level, a player needs to write in and request for permission to be able to make a formal switch if he intends playing for a different nation at senior level.

One source close to the player said: "No going back as the process of his nationality switch is on. Southgate has a very good relationship with Lookman but not on this issue because Lookman's father is keen on his son playing for Nigeria at senior level and not England."

This is not the first time England has failed in their bid to stop a player of Nigerian decent from switching allegiance to the Super Eagles. Former England manager Roy Hodgson tried stopping Alex Iwobi from representing Nigeria but the player rebuffed his overtures and opted for the Super Eagles.