The winter transfer window officially opened on January 1 and closed on February 2, with several Nigerian players sealing moves to new clubs in search of fresh challenges.
However, not everyone was able to secure a transfer. Some players saw potential moves fall through as their clubs were unwilling to release them, while others failed to reach an agreement before the deadline.
In this article, SportPremi takes a look at four Nigerian players that were unable to complete a transfer before the end of the transfer window;
1. Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio)
Super Eagles midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru was linked with an exit from Italian side Lazio during the course of the transfer window after struggling with injuries and consistency at the club.
The former Hatayspor midfielder has been unable to stake a claim on a starting berth in the team and was linked with a move to several clubs last month, including Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth and Trabzonspor.
However, Lazio rejected multiple bids for his signature, including an €18 million offer from Bournemouth as they were not keen on losing the Nigerian midway into the season.
For now, Dele-Bashiru remains stuck at the Biancocelesti, but could make a move away in the summer if his playing minutes does not improve.
2. Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge)
Nigerian midfielder Raphael Onyedika was very close to a move to Turkish champions Galatasaray to join compatriot Victor Osimhen last month, but the deal never materialized.
It was even reported that the Belgian club agreed a €23 million deal for the sale of the Super Eagles midfielder, but the transfer never progressed, leaving Onyedika to remain in Belgium at least until the end of the season.
Aston Villa and AC Milan were also interested in a deal during the transfer window, highlighting how the defensive midfielder is highly-rated across Europe.
3. Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest)
Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi looked destined to leave Nottingham Forest in the January transfer window, but remains at the club for the main time.
The 28-year-old has failed to rediscover his earlier form at the club and has seen his playing minutes reduce drastically over the course of the year especially due to his inconsistency and fitness concerns.
He scored his first goal in almost a year during Nottingham Forest’s shock 2-0 win over Brentford in January, but could see his playing time further reduced by the arrival of Lorenzo Lucca from Napoli during the transfer window.
4. Stanley Nwabali (Free agent)
Super Eagles first-choice goalkeeper Nwabali mutually agreed to terminate his contract at South African club Chippa United earlier in the month, leaving him as a free agent and able to join any club of his choice.
The 29-year-old spent four years at the club and despite signaling his desire to leave, the South African outfit rebuffed offers from several suitors for his signature.
Although he is yet to release a statement on his next move, Nwabali is not short of suitors and could get a new club in the coming days.
