IKENWA NNABUOGOR reckons young striker Terem Moffi could go on to be one of Nigeria’s most expensive players going by the interest he is now generating across Europe…
It is no surprise that FC Lorient striker Terem Moffi is already attracting attention from bigger clubs just a few months after he stormed the French Ligue 1 from Belgium’s KV Kortrijk.
Smarting from his superlative performances for the relegation-threatened FC Lorient, several top clubs are now circling around the 21-year-old striker ahead of the summer transfer window.
Moffi, sourced from Nigerian Youth Soccer Academy, Calabar, and Clique Sports Academy, Lagos, has confidently confirmed his role as the leading light in the “gloom” for the modest club, struggling to avoid relegation in the French Ligue 1.
After a rather slow start following his transfer from Kortrijk, Moffi proved he was worth the record fee paid for his transfer by finding the back of the net in regular fashion to maintain a steady rise from relegation waters for the embattled club.
Amidst his club’s gloom, Moffi’s lights have continued to shine and the reward of this is the attention from bigger clubs threatening to break the bank to prise him away from Lorient.
He’s just 21, full of energy, running and a mouthwatering bag of tricks, Moffi could unseat Napoli’s Victor Osihmen as the most expensive Nigerian player in near future.
After bagging a scholarship at Buckswood Academy, Guestling, East Sussex, England less than five years down the line, Moffi has attracted €8 million and could attract more on account of his performance.
Good business for his former Belgian club Kortrijk, whose 20 % sell-on clause will only bulge their account balance should Moffi make the move from Lorient.
Kortrijk’s prayers will be tripled for Moffi to continue his great form as they will, expectedly, smile to the bank when he leaves Lorient and thank their stars from taking a huge gamble to bring him out of the European backwaters of Lithuania.
Currently on standby for a much-awaited Eagles chance, it can only be as good as it gets for the Ogoja-born star, whose father, Leo, was a goalkeeper for Enugu Rangers in the late 80s and 90s.
Moffi, who has been enjoyed a massive media backing for a shot with the Super Eagles, will have no choice than to grab his chance with his country’s team if he’s eventually in the team by a default, at least for the double African Cup of Nations qualifiers against Benin Republic and Lesotho later this month.
Everything is really working out well for Moffi and his club’s difficult position in the Ligue 1 table could also present him to bigger clubs, apart from Marseille gunning for his signature, should his goals eventually help them stay up at the end of the season.
In truth, Moffi got nothing to lose as long as he keeps sending goalkeepers to retrieve the balls from the back of the net, with Kortrijk watching with keen interest.
His goals against giants Monaco at Stade Louis II on Valentine’s Day in their famous 2-2 draw also helped shoot him to the top of club’s wish lists and the brace will continue to be reference points.
The former FK Riteriai striker was almost snatching a famous victory for the embattled French side until a 93rd minute added-time goal put paid to that great feat.
“I’ve always known that Terem’s best is yet to come,” assured Abdulgafaar Agboola, his Nigeria Youth Soccer Academy of Calabar coach.
“I won’t be surprised if clubs like Real Madrid, Manchester United or Barcelona grab him because he’s too good to play for those clubs.
“I won’t also be surprised seeing him attracting the big spending clubs for a record transfer fee.
“Like I said before, he can unlock any defence in this world and score and I’m very confident of this.
“I’m so fulfilled reading stories of clubs wanting my boy and I will also continue to hope for the best for him.”
Moffi is flying high no doubt, and no doubt, he is on for bigger things.
