Nigeria’s Zaharaddeen Bello on Radar of Europe’s Elite Clubs
Nigerian defender Zaharaddeen Bello is emerging as one of Africa’s most sought-after young talents, following a string of impressive performances at the U20 Africa Cup of Nations.
At just 17 years old, the Super Eagles vice-captain has caught the eye of several top European clubs. According to Footmercato, Premier League giants Chelsea and Manchester City are among those monitoring the centre-back closely. Serie A sides Juventus and Sampdoria have also expressed interest, while several Spanish La Liga clubs are reportedly tracking the player’s progress.
Bello, who was part of Nigeria’s victorious U17 World Cup squad in 2013, is expected to feature again for the national team at the upcoming FIFA U17 World Cup. His maturity, defensive awareness, and leadership qualities at a young age have made him a standout prospect.
In addition to interest from England, Italy, and Spain, Turkish clubs have entered the race, with club emissaries recently meeting Bello’s representatives to discuss a possible transfer. Ligue 1 teams in France are also said to be keeping tabs on the player’s development.
Chelsea may hold a slight edge in the race for Bello’s signature, as the club’s sporting director is Nigerian and reportedly knows the young defender well. That relationship could prove decisive in any future negotiations.
As Bello prepares for another shot at World Cup glory with Nigeria’s youth team, his stock continues to rise—and a move to one of Europe’s top leagues seems increasingly likely.
