Nigerian Premier League side Heartland FC of Owerri have been told they can’t sign two very impressive players from grassroots side BJ Foundation of Benin City.

A source close to the Douglas Idahosa-tutored BJ revealed to News Express that Heartland signalled their interest in midfielder Michael Enaruna and centre back Ekigho Erimuya after the 2015 Federations Cup competition.

BJ shocked many by reaching the last eight of the competition and sent Heartland packing in the round of 16.

Having been impressed by the performance of the youngsters, Heartland, who are currently having a lukewarm showing in the Nigerian Premier League, communicated their desire to sign the duo, offering thousands of naira to BJ for their release.

BJ however knocked back the interest of the Naze Millionaires over concerns for the long-term development of the players. They also believe that the boys can grow with them and get good foreign deals which would be much more beneficial to them and the club.

“There’s so much instability in the Nigerian Premier League, where there is always a change of coaches in club sides. A new coach may come to Heartland in the coming season and stall the progress of the players because they are not his signings. The psychological effect might destroy the career of the promising talents. It is for this reason that BJ are reluctant to sell Erimuya and Enaruna to Heartland,” our source said.

He added that “there’s always the possibility that there would be more concrete interests on these players from overseas teams. So BJ are not in a hurry to give away their players to local clubs.”

In recent years BJ has nurtured fantastic young players who have gone on to get lucrative deals in foreign clubs. The latest in the slipstream of talents that was transferred directly from the Edo FA Cup champions is striker Isaac Success, who was snapped up by Spanish LA Liga outfit Granada in 2013.

In 2009 Ndubuisi Mikel Agu joined European giants FC Porto of Portugal from BJ after impressing in the African Copa Coca Cola tournament in South Africa earlier that year.

Michael Enaruna is a leff-footed midfielder in the mould of Arsenal’s Mezut Ozil. His ability to dart around the pitch and deliver passes with remarkable vision has struck many who have watched him play. He also possesses an ability to score free kicks by mixing fitness with power. He was one of the main reasons why BJ went as far as the last eight of the Federations Cup.

Ekigho Erimuya is a young and solid centre back with an uncanny game-reading ability. The former Golden Eaglets invitee is quick and strong with good interception skills. He usually has a high concentration level during games that makes it difficult for opponents to find a way to hurt his goal.

•Photo shows BJ line-up against Heartland in the Federations Cup earlier in the year. First from right in the front row is Michael Enaruna, while standing first from right in the back row is Ekigho Erimuya.

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