Galatasaray eyeing Nigerian youngster who broke Nwankwo Kanu’s UCL record

Turkish Super Lig champions Galatasaray are eyeing Nigerian attacker George Ilenikhena, Afrik-Foot reports.

​The versatile 19-year-old attacker has grown by leaps and bounds over the last three years.

He progressed from playing in the youth setup at Amiens to joining Monaco within two years. Now, he is at Al-Ittihad, having joined them from Le Rocher in a deal worth €33 million.

​That move made him the most expensive teenage Nigerian transfer in history. He also currently holds the record for the youngest Nigerian attacker to play in the UEFA Champions League, breaking Nwankwo Kanu’s record earlier this season.

​So far at Al-Ittihad, the 19-year-old has had a slow start, failing to record a goal or an assist in five appearances.

​Now, reports suggest that he is attracting interest from Turkey. According to Ajansspor, the former Amiens man has emerged as a major target for Galatasaray, who could move for him this summer.

​George Ilenikhena: Why Galatasaray Want the Nigerian Talent

​George Ilenikhena has endured a lull over the past year. However, at his best, the former Royal Antwerp man is a very quick and physical player who remains composed in front of goal.

​He is also a decent dribbler who is adept at exploiting space. Ilenikhena is versatile and can operate from the wings or lead the line. Quite importantly, he possesses a high work rate; even when he is not scoring, he puts in a lot of effort for his team.

​Galatasaray are looking to bolster their forward line as they attempt to maintain their dominance in Turkey, where they have won the last three Super Lig titles.

​Acquiring a player like Ilenikhena would give them a different profile than what their star man, Victor Osimhen, brings to the table.

In fact, he could improve by serving as an understudy to Osimhen and potentially taking over the striker role if the Super Eagles star eventually decides to leave.

​Ilenikhena was born in Lagos to Nigerian parents but moved to France at the age of three. This means he is eligible to play for either of the two countries, though he has not been called up to either senior team yet.