Chelsea tracking Nigeria U20 forward Abdulmuiz Adeleke after successful training spell

Chelsea are monitoring Nigeria U20 striker Abdulmuiz Adeleke after the teenager impressed during training stints with the Premier League club and French side Strasbourg, according to his current team Sporting Supreme FC.

Ismail Hamza, general manager of the Nigerian club, says several leading European sides are now following the 17-year-old’s progress at the WAFU B U20 Championship in Cote d’Ivoire, where he has made an eye-catching start.

Adeleke, a left-footed centre-forward, scored twice in Nigeria’s opening match as the Flying Eagles beat Ghana’s Black Satellites 4-2, enhancing his reputation as one of the standout performers at the regional tournament.

Interest from Chelsea and Strasbourg

Hamza confirmed that Adeleke has already spent time training with Chelsea and Ligue 1 club Strasbourg, with both clubs registering their interest after those sessions.

“He trained with Chelsea. From the training session, there’s interest from Chelsea. He also went to Strasbourg and trained there. When he is 18, we will see where he will go,” Hamza told allnigeriasoccer.com.

Reports have suggested Adeleke has signed a preliminary agreement with Chelsea. However, any move would be complicated by work permit regulations, and he would not be immediately eligible to play for the first team even after turning 18.

GBE and loan prospects

Under current rules, Adeleke does not yet qualify for a Governing Body Endorsement (GBE), the requirement for overseas players to feature in English professional football.

The forward has not made his debut in the Nigeria Premier Football League and is yet to be capped by the senior national team, the Super Eagles, factors which count against him in the GBE points system.

As a result, if Chelsea were to complete a deal once he turns 18, the expectation is that he would likely be sent out on loan, potentially to a club in a league where he can play immediately and continue his development.

European clubs scouting in Ivory Coast

Hamza stressed that Chelsea are among a number of major European clubs watching the teenager at the WAFU B U20 Championship in Ivory Coast.

“Muiz Adeleke is a player of Sporting Supreme. There is much interest from many big clubs watching him in Ivory Coast. At his age, before you can see this level, it is very hard,” he said.

Adeleke’s performances for the Flying Eagles come after he previously represented Nigeria at U17 level with the Golden Eaglets, earning promotion through the country’s youth system before his current breakthrough on the U20 stage.

The forward remains contracted to Sporting Supreme FC for now, with his future expected to become clearer once he reaches 18 and the clubs tracking him move to formalise their interest.