One time target of the senior national team of Nigeria Michael Kayode has completed a loan move to English Premier League side Brentford from Italian Serie A side Fiorentina, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
Over the weekend Kayode was left out of the squad for the game against Torino by coach Raffaele Palladino with the move said to be in the final stages. As first reported by Violanews, the Premier League outfit signed the Italy-U21 international on a paid loan, with an option to make the transfer permanent at the end of the season for a fee of around €16m.
A target of the former coach of Nigeria Jose Peseiro who wanted him to switch nationality and play for Nigeria, the 20 year old has failed to build on his storming performance in his breakthrough season. Losing his right back spot this season to Dodo.
This season he has made just five appearances in the league, a far cry from when he made 26 appearances and got the attention of the coach of Italy Luciano Spalletti, but injury robbed him the chance to make his senior bow for Italy, hence his eligibility for Super Eagles still remains.
However, Fiorentina are aware of the player’s potential, which is why they would like to include a buy-back clause in the deal, allowing them to bring Kayode back to the Stadio Artemio Franchi.
Daniel Martins