AllNigeriaSoccer

Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur reportedly turned down the opportunity to sign Ademola Lookman before the Nigerian forward completed his move to Atlético Madrid, The Sun reports.

Lookman was made available to Spurs during the winter transfer window as the club searched for attacking reinforcements amid a severe injury crisis and a difficult league campaign.

At the time, the North London side were struggling near the bottom half of the table and facing growing concerns over a potential relegation battle.

Despite their precarious position, Tottenham opted against signing the former Atalanta winger, marking the second time the club has passed on the opportunity to bring him back to the Premier League.

Spurs had earlier declined a move for the Nigerian International last summer after his proposed transfer to Inter Milan collapsed.

Instead, Tottenham prioritised other additions, securing the signing of midfielder Conor Gallagher in a deal worth around £35 million from Atlético Madrid, along with teenage Brazilian full-back Souza from Santos in January.

Following Spurs’ decision, Lookman completed a move to Atlético Madrid for a fee reported to be around £30 million.

Since arriving at the Wanda Metropolitano, the 28-year-old has made an immediate impact, registering four goals and three assists in his first seven appearances across all competitions.

Meanwhile, Tottenham’s struggles have continued. The club are still searching for their first Premier League win of 2026 and currently sit 16th in the table with 29 points, just four points above the relegation zone.

Adeyemi Adewale

Retired Togo international Emmanuel Sheyi Adebayor has reaffirmed his Yoruba heritage in a video that has drawn widespread attention on social media.

Adebayor is the first and only African player to feature for both Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, making 255 appearances for the north London clubs and recording 139 goal involvements (104 goals and 35 assists).

Speaking in fluent Yoruba, Adebayor identified himself with pride, stressing the importance of his ancestral roots despite his upbringing in Togo.

In the video posted on X by BBC Sport journalist Oluwashina Okeleji, Adebayor introduced himself by saying, "Oluwalosheyi Emmanuel Adebayor, that’s me, the son of the King," before continuing, "I know who I am and where I am from. I can’t deny my origin. I am Yoruba."

He also spoke in French at intervals, reflecting the multicultural environment in which he was raised.

Adebayor was born in Lomé, Togo, to Nigerian parents of Yoruba descent. His father is Adeyi Adebayor, and his mother is Alice Eniola Adekanye.

Though he grew up in Togo and represented the country at international level, he has consistently acknowledged his Nigerian background and Yoruba identity.

Adebayor enjoyed a distinguished career across Europe, playing for top clubs including Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, and Real Madrid.

Despite his achievements with the Togolese national team, his statements in the video emphasized the lasting influence of his Nigerian heritage.

Wale Adejumo

Photo Credit: SEA

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta promoted London-born defender of Nigerian descent Josh Nichols to first-team training on Friday, ahead of his side's Premier League clash with north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

Nichols took part in the session at the Sobha Realty Training Centre in London Colney, where he trained alongside senior stars including Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze and Nigeria Football Federation target Ethan Nwaneri.

The English-Nigerian-Jamaican defender's call-up comes amid concerns over the fitness of left-back Riccardo Calafiori, who withdrew from Italy's November international games due to injury.

Primarily a right-back, Nichols is capable of operating on the left when required.

A key figure in Arsenal's development squad, he has started seven of their eight Premier League 2 games this season.

The 19-year-old has also gained experience against senior opposition, featuring from the start against Newport County and Exeter City in the EFL Trophy.

Nichols made his professional debut in September 2024, starting in a Carabao Cup tie against Bolton Wanderers.

In total, he has received five first-team call-ups for official matches, including Premier League fixtures against Leicester City, Liverpool and West Ham United.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel