LOSC Lille has announced the capture of 19 year old, Usman Simbakoli who joins them from fellow French Ligue 1 side, Angers, Owngoalnigeria reports.
Highly rated Simbakoli, 19 is a centre forward whose roots are traceable to Nigeria and Central African Republic even though he was born in France. His signing is viewed by many as a sign that Lille are already resigned to losing their Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen.
The free scoring striker made his mark for youth team of Angers last season with 16 goals to his name from 19 games. A form that alerted Lille and will potentially prompt an international tussle for his senior international future between Nigeria and France if he repeats same in Ligue 1. He has not been capped at any level by both countries.
The signing of Simbakoli was announced on the Twitter handle of the Ligue 1 side with the future of Osimhen hanging in the balance with the 21 year old Nigerian few details from agreeing a deal with Serie A side Napoli.
Osimhen who netted 16 goals in all competitions last season spent large part of the concluding week in Naples where he held talks with Napoli over a transfer which will make him the most expensive Nigerian with a sum of around €70 million speculated as his transfer fee.
Godwin N