Super Eagles: Boniface & 4 Nigerian stars who could seal January transfer to new clubs

Several Super Eagles stars are thriving at their respective European clubs, while others like Victor Boniface are struggling for playing time.

For some of the players who are thriving, they stand a chance of getting snapped up by bigger clubs, while the ones who want playing time could also get a change of scenery to get their juices flowing again.

With the winter window still some months away, none of these moves should be treated as a foregone conclusion. In this piece, Afrik-Foot lists 5 Nigerian players who could change clubs in January.

5 Super Eagles stars who could change clubs in January

1. Victor Boniface (Bayer 04 Leverkusen)

Boniface has endured a difficult year. The Nigerian striker made 11 Bundesliga appearances while on loan for Werder Bremen without scoring before undergoing a knee surgery that kept him out of action for about four months.

His return to Leverkusen has not restored his fortunes. Despite encouraging moments during pre-season, fitness concerns contributed to his omission from the club’s Europa League squad.

The 2023/2024 Bundesliga Rookie of the Year has been subject to just five minutes of football this season.

At 25, Boniface still has time to revive his career, but he needs sustained fitness and loads of game time that saw him light Europe up in his debut Bundesliga campaign.

A January loan could offer him a fresh start, and a club prepared to give him regular opportunities might help him rebuild his confidence.

2. Zadok Yohanna

The teenager’s move to Brighton and Hove Albion in the summer saw the youngster tipped to turn heads in the English Premier League, but like Boniface, injuries have limited Yohanna’s playing time, even knocking him out of two chances to play for the Super Eagles.

Brighton strengthened their attack further by signing Nigerian winger Femi Azeez from Millwall in September, pushing the 19-year-old down the pecking order at the Amex Stadium.

A loan move to a lower-tier English side in January would be a good move for Yohanna. That way, he gets to build his body up physically and adapt to English football, a trait Brighton coach Fabian Hurzeler admitted he needs.

3. Paul Onuachu

The Trabzonspor striker enjoyed an outstanding 2025–26 campaign, scoring 22 league goals and finishing as the Süper Lig’s joint-top scorer. In turn, his performances garnered offers from Saudi Arabia, all of which he turned down to stay in Turkiye.

This happened despite the club’s former coach, Fatih Tekke, hinting that the club could use the money to rebuild other parts of the squad and buy a mobile striker capable of pressing, a weakness in Onuachu’s game.

The 32-year-old has failed to hit goalscoring form this season, scoring two goals in eight appearances across all competitions.

At his age, the Super Eagles striker could be tempted by the financial rewards of a move to Saudi Arabia if an offer arrives in January. For now, it appears the lanky striker wants to get his goal boots back on.

4. Benjamin Fredrick

Fredrick earned a vote of confidence when Brentford promoted him to their first-team squad ahead of the 2026–27 campaign and handed him a new four-year contract, with an option for another year.

Head coach Keith Andrews said the club saw considerable potential in the Nigerian defender.

However, Fredrick has yet to play a minute of football for the Bees’ first team, and a lack of minutes could slow his progress if he remains on the fringes.

The 21-year-old has already experienced senior football during his loan spell at Belgian club FCV Dender in 2025–26. Another loan move, preferably to another English side could help him build on that experience while developing the consistency and confidence needed to compete at a higher level.

5. Philip Otele

Otele’s summer transfer saga left his future unresolved. The Nigerian winger was linked with Derby County and Lecce clubs before a proposed loan move to Lazio collapsed in September, with Basel and the Italian side unable to finalise the agreement.

His situation could gain new traction in January if clubs return with acceptable offers.