England manager Gareth Southgate is disturbed by reports that Nigeria have renewed their interest in Everton forward Ademola Lookman.
Lookman is one of the players Southgate is keeping close tabs on as he believes the talent could graduate to the senior team, and the 48-year-old says they will fight to keep the player.
Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr is looking for a player to provide the Super Eagles’ attack with the cutting edge, following the retirement of Chelsea star Victor Moses from the team, coupled with Odion Ighalo and Alex Iwobi’s poor form in recent times.
Rohr and the Nigeria Football Federation reportedly failed to convince 20-year-old London-born Lookman to switch his international allegiance to Nigeria and play for the Eagles at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Despite representing England at the Under-19 and Under-20 levels, the player is still eligible to represent Nigeria where his parents were born as has yet to be capped by the English senior team.
Lookman, who joined the Toffees from Charlton Athletic in a deal reportedly worth £11m last year, has only featured for Everton once this season after coming in as a substitute in their 1-1 draw with Huddersfield at Goodison Park on September 1.