Just weeks after being denied the opportunity to make his Super Eagles debut, teenage sensation Zadok Yohanna is now on the verge of completing one of the biggest transfers involving a Nigerian youngster in recent years.
Premier League side Brighton are reportedly leading the race to sign the highly rated AIK winger, with negotiations advancing rapidly between both clubs as interest in the 18-year-old continues to intensify across Europe.
According to reports from the Daily Mail and transfer expert Florian Plettenberg, Brighton have already reached a verbal agreement with the player and are now working to finalise a deal with AIK.
The Swedish club are believed to value Yohanna at around €30 million, a figure that would make him the most expensive outgoing transfer in Swedish football history if completed.
Zadok Yohanna – AIK
The latest development comes barely two weeks after AIK blocked Yohanna from joining Nigeria’s squad for the Unity Cup in London.
The winger had earned his first senior Super Eagles invitation from head coach Eric Chelle after an impressive start to the season in Sweden and was expected to make his international debut during the tournament.
However, AIK refused to release the youngster, citing rehabilitation concerns and sporting reasons.
In an official statement released by the club in May, AIK explained that Yohanna was still in the final stages of recovery from injury and remained too important to their ongoing campaign to be released.
“AIK Football is proud of Zadok Yohanna who has been selected for the Nigerian national team for their participation in the Unity Cup in London.
“However, Zadok is in an important final stage of his rehabilitation, and the club has therefore decided not to release him on national team duty this time.”
The club also stressed that sporting considerations influenced the decision, describing the Nigerian teenager as a key player within the squad.
While the decision disappointed Nigerian supporters hoping to see one of the country’s brightest prospects in Super Eagles colours, AIK expressed confidence that Yohanna’s international opportunity would come in the future.
Zadok Yohanna and AIK players celebrating goal. Photo credit: AIK
Interest in Yohanna has exploded over the past few months following his breakthrough campaign in Sweden.
The winger only arrived at AIK from Nigeria’s Ikon Allah Academy last summer but has adapted remarkably quickly to European football.
Operating primarily from the right wing despite being naturally left-footed, Yohanna has registered nine goal contributions across all competitions this season and has become one of the most exciting young talents in Scandinavian football.
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Chelsea and Tottenham have monitored his progress extensively, while Real Madrid, Rennes, Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig have all been credited with interest.
One particular match against Kalmar FF in April reportedly attracted as many as 32 scouts, highlighting the growing attention surrounding the teenager.
Zadok Yohanna. Photo credit: AIK
Despite the intense competition, Brighton appear to have stolen a march on their rivals.
The Premier League club are understood to have accelerated discussions in recent days and are increasingly confident of reaching an agreement with AIK.
RB Leipzig remain interested and continue to monitor developments closely, but the Bundesliga side are believed to value Yohanna significantly below AIK’s asking price.
Brighton, meanwhile, are pushing aggressively to secure the deal before other clubs can make late moves.
Reports suggest negotiations could be concluded within the next 24 to 48 hours. should the transfer be completed, Yohanna would become the latest Nigerian talent to join Brighton’s growing African contingent and one of the most expensive teenage exports in Nigerian football history.
Zadok Yohanna
Yohanna’s last appearance for AIK came on May 10 during a 4-2 defeat to Djurgarden before a minor injury sidelined him.
That setback ultimately contributed to his absence from both AIK’s recent fixtures and Nigeria’s Unity Cup campaign.
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