Spanish football giants Barcelona and Villarreal are set to engage in a fierce battle to secure the signing of 17-year-old Nigerian prodigy Ibrahim Afolabi Oseni, Soccernet.ng understands.
Reports from Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo indicate that Barcelona have shown a keen interest in the young talent.
The Catalan club will, however, face competition from Villarreal for the signature of the emerging star, who has been making waves at his current club, Joy Cometh FC.
Oseni, known for his immense potential, will be available for a free transfer during the upcoming summer transfer window.
The talented teenager has already undergone trials at several clubs in Spain and Ukraine, including Levante UD, CD Leganes, CE Sabadell FC, and Dnipro.
Still, Barcelona and Villarreal have presented the Nigerian wonderkid with a chance to showcase his skills during trials in the coming days.
To pursue these opportunities, Oseni will travel to Spain and strive to secure a free transfer after agreeing with Joy Cometh FC to terminate his current contract.
Primarily an attacking midfielder, Oseni is recognized for his exceptional vision and the ability to locate teammates in pockets of space. His versatility also allows him to operate on either flank, making him an attractive prospect for both Barcelona and Villarreal.
If he joins Villarreal, Oseni will look to follow in the footsteps of Super Eagles winger Samuel Chukwueze.
Chukwueze joined Villarreal’s youth team as a teenager in 2018 and has grown to become one of La Liga’s best players, winning the league’s Best African award this season.