Kareem Tunde: Why NFF must keep an eye on this Barcelona-trained prodigy

Nigeria-eligible attacker Kareem Tunde has completed a transfer from UD Levante to Championship club West Brom, Afrik-Foot reports.

The 21-year-old arrives in England after making his breakthrough in Spanish football last season. He made 21 La Liga appearances for Levante last season, helping his side maintain their place in the Spanish top-flight.

But now, he has become a West Brom player after the club agreed an initial fee of around €3 million, which could rise to €5 million with add-ons, while Levante have retained a 20 per cent sell-on clause.

🚨🔵⚪️ HERE WE GO: #WBA have agreed a deal to sign Kareem Tunde from #Levante.

💰 €3m guaranteed
💸 €2m in potential bonuses
🔄 20% sell-on clause

Albion have got their man. 👀🇪🇸✍️#WBA #COYB pic.twitter.com/o5TAFrYcKe

— EL-Bion (@ELBionx) August 24, 2026

The transfer fee is interesting, but Tunde’s eligibility is what should really attract Nigeria’s attention.

From La Masia to La Liga

Tunde was born in Barcelona in August 2005, and that is where his football education started.

He spent time with Espanyol before joining Barcelona’s La Masia academy in 2017. After three years there, he moved to CF Damm and later joined Levante in 2022.

That background has given him exposure to one of Europe’s most technically demanding football cultures, but his development at Levante is arguably more significant.

Tunde progressed through Atlético Levante before making his senior debut in December 2025. He subsequently became increasingly important to the first team, particularly under Luís Castro. Now, he will be looking to test himself in England and maybe become a key player for the Baggies as they push for Premier League promotion.

Why Kareem Tunde is Not Your Usual Winger

Tunde is generally a right winger, but he can also play on the left side of the attack. However, his attacking statistics from last season are not spectacular.

He failed to score in his 21 La Liga appearances and registered just one assist. That means he is not yet someone Nigeria should be considering purely because of his output in front of goal.

His defensive numbers, however, make him a more intriguing prospect. Tunde’s average of 0.7 interceptions per 90 minutes was one of the highest among La Liga right-wingers last season. He also averaged 1.1 tackle per game and completed 48% of his dribbles.

That suggests a winger whose game is currently built as much around work without the ball as what he does with it. But at the same time, it is important to note that paling at a Levante side meant that he would be without the ball most of the time.

Nonetheless, for a 21-year-old still learning the demands of senior football, that is an encouraging foundation. But he will have to find a way to balance that level of work with attacking output, as he will be judged by his number of goals and assists at the end of the season.

The NFF Must Make Contact With Tunde Now

Tunde was born to a Nigerian father and a Spanish mother. That makes him eligible to represent either of the two countries. But with the current outlook, Nigeria can get him to commit due to Spain’s quality in attacking positions.

The NFF must move fast to get him now, as it might be a bit more difficult if he becomes an established Premier League player before making contact.

Nonetheless, the NFF does not need to rush Tunde into the Super Eagles. A more sensible approach would be to monitor his development, establish a relationship with the player and his representatives, and assess whether a youth or senior international invitation becomes appropriate. In fact, with the under-23 camp set to open, coach Eric Chelle could hand him a call-up to blood him into the system.

For now, Tunde has not shown class, but he has shown sparks of brilliance. Hopefully, he can grow to be one of the best wingers in Europe in a few years.