Football
Exclusive: Chelsea Make Formal Offers for Nigerian U20 Duo Abduljelil Kamaldeen and Tahir Maigana
Chelsea are actively pursuing Nigerian youngsters Abduljelil Kamaldeen and Tahir Maigana, who are excelling at the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile. The Blues have made formal offers and are ahead in the race, with West Ham and European clubs also interested. Chelsea's offer includes a welfare and education package. Kamaldeen and Maigana's performance in the World Cup will determine any potential deal.
Norway v Nigeria: Group F - FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025 by Ricardo Moreira - FIFA | Getty Images
Chelsea have intensified their pursuit of two promising Nigerian youngsters, Abduljelil Kamaldeen and Tahir Maigana, SportsBoom can report exclusively.
Blues Make Offers for Rising Stars
Both players currently play for Kwara Football Academy in Nigeria but are currently representing Nigeria at the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile, where their performances have attracted attention from several European clubs.
The Director of Media and Communication at Kwara Football Academy confirmed to SportsBoom that Chelsea’s interest is “very serious,” revealing that the London club have already made formal offers.
It is understood that Chelsea have held three rounds of discussions with the players’ representatives over the past week.
West Ham and European Clubs Also Monitoring
Chelsea are not the only Premier League side monitoring the duo.
West Ham United have also shown strong interest in Kamaldeen, although Chelsea are believed to be leading the race after their Under-21 coach personally spoke with the player.
Elsewhere in Europe, Belgian sides Anderlecht and Westerlo have made enquiries about Kamaldeen, while Serie A club Atalanta are reportedly keeping tabs on Maigana.
Welfare and Education Package Offered
Sources suggest both players share the same agency, and Chelsea’s offer includes a comprehensive welfare package, featuring a study scholarship, which could give the Blues a crucial advantage in negotiations.
Focus on World Cup Performance
Kamaldeen and Maigana are midfielders and have both impressed at the ongoing World Cup, helping Nigeria reach the Round of 16.
Any potential deal is expected to depend on how far Nigeria progress in the tournament. The Flying Eagles will next face Argentina in the knockout stage.
Seyi Alao is a Nigerian sports reporter, writer, and producer, known for delivering engaging sports content in both English and Pidgin. At Brila FM, I transitioned seamlessly into the role of Content Creator, demonstrating a deep understanding of media dynamics and effectively crafting captivating and informative narratives.