Engliah Premiership title chasers Liverpool and another Premiership side Tottenham Hotspurs will go head-to-head in the summer in the race to sign Nigerian wonder boy Ogenyi Onazi, it has been reported.
Onazi, 21, has been a revelation for Serie A outfit Lazio this season and has been attracting the interest of a host of European clubs, with Liverpool and Spurs leading the chase, reports Britain’s Daily Star.
The paper quotes reports in Italy as saying that Lazio have placed a £10m (about N2.67 billion) price-tag on the Nigerian international to stave off the interest in their prized asset.
Liverpool were interested in signing the defensive midfielder in January, but failed to agree a deal before the close of the winter window, Daily Star reports.
It says that when asked about a possible switch to Anfield at the start of the year, Onazi said: “Liverpool? They are a huge team and are attractive to any footballer.
“I could see myself playing for them. I would jump at the chance.”
Daily Star has it that Spurs technical director Franco Baldini – who holds strong connections in Italy having spent two spells at Lazio’s fiercest rivals Roma – has identified Onazi as a key target.
“Reports suggest both clubs are keen to tie up a deal for Onazi before this summer’s World Cup in Brazil,” the paper says.
•Photo shows Ogenyi Onazi on duty for the Super Eagles.
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