Arsenal-bound teenage sensation granted visa as he prepares to fly to London

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Published on:

28 Jan 2016, 4:04 pm

By Arsenal correspondent Tony Hughes| Premier League expert with experience of breaking big stories, including exclusives like this

Wonderkid Kelechi Nwakali has finally been granted documentation and will fly to London to complete his move to Arsenal, the youngster has revealed.

The Nigerian midfielder's transfer to Emirates Stadium had been held up while he waited for visa and work permit clearance.

Nwakali is set to board a British Airways flight to London on Thursday night and head to Arsenal, where he will undergo a medical and sign a four-year contract.

Nwakali has told the Nigerian Tribune he is set to complete his move to the north Londoners, where he will initially link up with the Arsenal academy.

He said: "I am going to Arsenal to work and try to be the best I can. With God anything is possible, to work hard to justify my claim for first team football."

Football Insider revealed last week that Arsenal's double deal for Nwakali and and teenage countryman Samuel Chukwueze was '99 per cent done' after a £4million deal was accepted by the players' academy in Nigeria.

Arsenal were among a number of leading European clubs who scouted Nwakali and Chukwueze in last year's Fifa Under-17 World Cup in Chile.

Nwakali, 17, was named as player of the tournament, while Chukwueze, 16, also delivered a series of promising displays for Nigeria.

In other Arsenal transfer news, Mathieu Debuchy will be allowed to choose between Aston Villa and Sunderland after Arsene Wenger agreed to allow him to go out on loan until the end of the season.

Arsenal

Kelechi Nwakali