Lesley Ugochukwu: Nigeria keep Super Eagles door open for new Galatasaray midfielder

Nigeria are prepared to consider Galatasaray’s new signing Lesley Ugochukwu for the Super Eagles, despite the midfielder previously rebuffing an approach to play for the country.

The 22-year-old, who joined the Turkish champions on loan from Burnley six days ago, has long been seen as a potential France senior international after representing the country at Under-21 level.

But a senior figure around the Nigeria set-up has told OwnGoalNigeria.com that the West African nation will revisit the possibility of calling up Ugochukwu if his international allegiance changes – and if he secures regular football in Istanbul.

” He (Lesley) is not a priority at the moment, but in the event that he has a change of mind then we can have a discussion. However playing for Nigeria also means having regular games with your club, so he has to do that for it to happen”, a source stated.

The stance leaves the door ajar for the powerful midfielder, who is the nephew of former Nigeria defender Onyekachi Apam, to revive the prospect of an international career with the three-time African champions.

Big-money loan move to Galatasaray

Ugochukwu completed his move to Galatasaray on a season-long loan from Burnley for an initial fee of £3m.

The deal includes an option for the Turkish club to make the transfer permanent next summer for £22.5m. That clause becomes an obligation if he reaches 25 appearances over the course of the campaign.

Galatasaray have confirmed that the midfielder successfully passed his medical and agreed a contract worth £2.25m per year. He will now aim to establish himself in the first team and trigger the conditions for a permanent stay.

The transfer continues a rapid rise for Ugochukwu, who came through the ranks at Rennes before moving to the Premier League and now to one of Turkey’s most successful and high-profile clubs.

France ambition versus Nigeria opportunity

Born in France and capped at Under-21 level, Ugochukwu has made no secret of his long-term ambition to break into the French senior national team.

That aspiration was one of the primary reasons he initially turned down the chance to represent Nigeria, despite his strong family ties to the country through Apam, who won caps as a defender for the Super Eagles.

Nonetheless, the Nigerian camp is not ruling out a future change of heart.

Head coach Eric Chelle, according to the same source, is willing to consider Ugochukwu if circumstances change, but will only move the midfielder up his list of targets once he is playing consistently at club level.

Competition for Super Eagles midfield places

Nigeria currently boast significant depth in midfield, with several established Europe-based players competing for places. That level of competition is understood to be one reason why Ugochukwu is not viewed as an immediate priority.

However, the combination of his age, physical presence and top-flight European experience means he is still regarded as a player of interest by the Nigerian Football Federation, particularly if his form at Galatasaray matches his early potential.

For now, Ugochukwu’s focus will be on securing a regular starting role in Istanbul, where strong performances could force both France and Nigeria to reconsider his international future.

His situation adds another layer to the growing list of dual-nationality players having to choose between established European powers and African national teams – a dynamic that has increasingly shaped Nigeria’s recruitment strategy in recent years.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman