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It’s no fairy tale that Nigerians and players of Nigerian descent are doing extraordinarily well in international league competitions. Especially in the European leagues, young Nigerians have made their mark graduating from second-class squads to being amongst the first choice players of their clubs. Super Eagles star forwards, Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi have been listed among the 100 most expensive U21 players in Europe’s top five leagues. The rating was released by CIES Football Observatory, which ranked the top 100 based on the increase/decrease in their transfer value over the past months. Nigeria and Leicester City midfielder, Ndidi, who is the highest ranked Nigerian on the list, is placed at 11th after his transfer value surged by 33% to €64.8m.

Following him is Arsenal forward, A. Iwobi, ranked 34th with a transfer value of €31.5m. Iwobi is also the only Arsenal player that made it to the list. Leicester City and Super Eagles star, Kelechi Iheanacho also made it to the list in 56th position, due to a 13% decline in his transfer value to €19.4m.

kelechi-iheanacho — Kelechi Iheanacho, Image Credit:Sky Sports

Bamidele Jermaine Alli, who is currently playing for the England football team, was also featured on the list, in 2nd position with a transfer value of £158.5m behind Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe at €182.8m.

Bamidele Jermaine Alli---www.connectnigeria.com — Bamidele Jermaine Alli.
Image Credit: Sky Sports

Other players of Nigerian descent on the list are Tammy Abraham (25th, €39.7m), Ademola Lookman (71st, €14.7m), Jordon Ibe (86th, €1.7m) and Dominic Solanke (55th, €19.7m) whose value rose by 149% in three months. Featured Image Credit: Guardian.ng