George Ilenikhena, who has opted to play for the Super Eagles after he featured for France at age-grade levels, could now replace Jerome Akor at La Liga side Sevilla.
Akor has transferred to Italian Serie A club Venezia.
And now it has been reported that Sevilla have identified 19-year-old Ilenikhena from Saudi Arabian club Al Ittihad as a target for their attack.
It is reported that Sevilla are in a favourable position to secure a loan with an option to buy for the French youth international.
It is said that this is a formula Al Ittihad are open to.
The Saudi club purchased him for 33 million euros last winter after a period at Monaco, and the player is now seeking a return to Europe after six months.
Ilenikhena became a primary option after other alternatives, including Enes Ünal and Marc Guiu, were considered financially out of reach for the club.
Despite interest from clubs like West Ham and Schalke 04, it is reported that the Sevilla project is the most appealing to the player.
The club intend to accelerate negotiations for him to join manager Luis García Plaza’s squad in the near future.
Ilenikhena’s contract at Al Ittihad is valid until June 2029, and his current market value is €10 million, according to Transfermarkt.
