Football
Exclusive: Deportivo Alavés Move Closer to Signing Nigerian Teen Sensation Imrana Muhammad
Deportivo Alavés close in on signing Nigerian youth star Imrana Muhammad after impressive displays at Viareggio Cup. The 17-year-old is highly sought after for his pace, tactical awareness and goal-scoring ability. His potential move highlights the growing trend of African talents joining Spanish clubs.
Muhammad celebrates a goal with Nigeria's Flying Eagles. Photo Credit: CAF
Spanish La Liga side Deportivo Alavés are closing in on a deal to land the acquisition of precocious Nigerian youth international Imrana Muhammad, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.
The Vitoria-Gasteiz-based outfit who have been keeping tabs on the teenager have now extended an invitation to him to have a feel of their famed Mendizorrotza Stadium, the third oldest football stadium in spanish professional football.
Imrana, 17, have courted interests from several La Liga and German Bundesliga clubs following strings of sensational displays for Mavlon FC at the Viareggio Cup tournament, while also scoring on his debut for Nigeria's U-20 national team last year.
SportsBoom understands a travel itinerary to the Basque country with the player's party have been slated for the coming weeks, as the influx of Mavlon academy graduates to Spanish clubs continue to rise in recent months.
Alavés are working around the clock to ensure his first professional contract is in place well before he turns 18 this year's summer.
STYLE OF PLAY
Described as a modern-day footballer, Imrana's tactical nous and directness even at a young age was one of the reasons he has been in high demand amongst his peers.
Most club scouts have praised his ability to read games and act to his side's advantage, while his pace and knack for goals have earned him comparisons with a young Cristiano Ronaldo.
He is comfortable playing anywhere across the front line, out through the flanks and can also go as a lone striker further forward.
VIAREGGIO CUP HUNTING GROUNDS
Having served as a crucial scouting platform for several clubs over the years, the Viareggio tournament has produced several top talents that have gone on to star in top European competitions.
Ciro Immobile, Leonardo Spinazzola, Hafiz Ibrahim, Mauro Icardi and Mario Balotelli are just some of the few names who have helped participating teams enjoy some success in the competition.
Commenting on the competition which kicks in again next month, a Mavlon insider told SportsBoom: "Mavlon will be in Italy again this March, to play against Italian and Spanish sides."
"We'll be playing in the Viareggio U-19 Cup, and then in Spain, we'll be playing matches against U-19 teams from the first and second divisions to give visibility to these teenagers."
"It is these kind of opportunities that offer them the best chance, especially coming from African teams."
Since he broke loose from the shackles of long hours huddled up in a hot classroom learning Mandarin Chinese and Pinyin at the famous Confucius Institute, UNIZIK, Emmanuel Chinaza has embraced sports and football in particular, and it helped that he grew up in the football-crazy city of Anambra.