Manchester City Target Kelechi Nwakali Battling To Meet Premier League New Work Permit Requirements

A representative of Kelechi Nwakali has explained that Manchester City have no choice than to pay a minimum of four million pounds to sign the Golden Eaglets skipper or he will not be able to secure a work permit based on the new requirements.

Having it at the back of his mind, the 17 - year - old’s Belgian - based intermediary, Klay Ekeocha, proposed that figure when talks took place with The Citizens hierarchy after the African U - 17 Cup of Nations.

“We discussed a price with Manchester City and that’s what came out of it. To have Kelechi, City will have to offer around four million pounds, ” a source close to the Nigeria U17 international told allnigeriasoccer.com.

“But that figure was proposed before the start of the World Cup. We are still discussing with everybody else that same amount, but, of course, we are hoping he does well in Chile.”

The ASJ Academy midfielder does not automatically qualify for a work permit as he has not played for the Super Eagles, and needs at least four points before he can get the backing of the Governing Body Endorsement (GBA).

“The new law does not favour young players from Africa. Before clubs could convince the FA that the player has extraordinary abilities.

“Now it is not possible anymore, players must fulfill different criteria. The value of the transfer fee must be high, salary must be high,”
 he added.

Manchester City are not the only Premier League club monitoring Kelechi Nwakali as Liverpool and Chelsea have sent their scouts to South America to run the rule over him in the Golden Eaglets World Cup opener against the United States.

Editor