Premier League giants Chelsea are not pursuing Nigeria U20 winger Tahir Maigana, despite recent reports suggesting the club had tabled an offer for the 17-year-old star of Wireless FC, according to All Nigeria Soccer.
Speculation had been swirling that both Maigana and his compatriot Abduljelil Kamaldeen, 16, had received scholarship opportunities from the London club. However, these claims don’t hold up: Chelsea cannot legally sign foreign players under 18 under Premier League and FIFA regulations.
Sources close to the situation confirm that while Chelsea have shown genuine interest in Kamaldeen, there is currently no formal proposal or negotiation in place for Maigana. The club is keeping a careful eye on compliance with international recruitment rules, which have tightened significantly since Brexit altered youth transfers across borders.
Maigana first grabbed attention during the 2023 FIFA U20 World Cup, featuring in all four of Nigeria’s matches before the Flying Eagles fell to Argentina in the round of 16. Although he didn’t score or assist, his blistering pace, direct dribbling, and intelligent attacking runs left scouts impressed.
The left-footed winger, who often cuts in from the right flank, has drawn early comparisons to Arsenal and England star Bukayo Saka, thanks to his dynamic style and technical skill. Local Nigerian media reports indicate that Benfica and several Belgian clubs remain interested and could revive their pursuit in the next transfer window.
A move abroad would be a significant milestone for Nigerian grassroots football. Chelsea haven’t signed a player directly from Nigeria since Kenneth Omeruo joined from Sunshine Stars in 2012 following his U20 World Cup exploits in Colombia.
Meanwhile, the Blues continue to develop players of Nigerian heritage within their academy, including Chizaram Ezenwata, Tayo Subuloye, Richard Olise, and Landon Emenalo, signaling the club’s ongoing commitment to nurturing African talent.
“While Chelsea have monitored several young African prospects, there is currently no concrete offer for Tahir Maigana,” a source close to the player confirmed. “He remains focused on his development at Wireless FC and the national setup.”
Chelsea fans can rest easy: for now, Maigana is still a homegrown gem in Nigeria, and any European adventure is firmly on hold — but the talent is undeniable, and scouts will certainly keep watching.
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