By Dayo Awoniyi
Nigerian midfield prodigy Anthony Dennis is at the centre of a growing transfer tug-of-war, with Premier League and Bundesliga clubs vying for his signature following a breakout season in Turkey.
The 20-year-old Göztepe star has become a standout performer in the Turkish Super Lig, drawing attention from across Europe.
Brighton & Hove Albion and newly promoted Bundesliga side St. Pauli are reportedly leading the chase, while Ligue 1 outfit Stade Rennais has also entered the frame, underlining the widespread interest in the young talent.
Dennis has featured in 31 games this season, playing a crucial role in Göztepe’s march to the Turkish Cup semi-finals. Known for his composure, versatility, and intelligent playmaking, he has emerged as one of the league’s brightest young midfielders.
Valued at €2 million by Transfermarkt, Dennis appears destined for a big move this summer, with scouts identifying him as a long-term investment with immediate impact potential.
Though previously called up to Nigeria’s national team, Dennis is yet to make his senior debut — a milestone that could be just around the corner if his upward trajectory continues.
Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. He began his career at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.
