Nigeria-eligible righback Daniel Oyegoke looks set to move to Italy over the next week

NIGERIA-eligible defender Daniel Oyegoke could be on the verge of a major career breakthrough over the next week as several Italian Serie A clubs are looking to sign the versatile rightback before the close of the January transfer window.

Oyegoke, 22, is a product of the Barnet and Arsenal academies and currently plays as a right back for Scottish Premiership club Hearts. After beginning his youth career as a forward in the Barnet Academy, Oyegoke moved to the Arsenal Academy in 2017, where he was converted into a right back and progressed to sign a scholarship deal at the end of the 2018/19 season.

An England youth international, Oyegoke has been capped by the U16, U17, U18, U19 and U20 teams. In September 2022, he was named in the England U20 squad for its Costa Cálida Supercup campaign, scoring his first international goal in a match against Chile in a 3–0 win and went on to become a member of England's 2023 U20 World Cup squad.

Yesterday, Hearts manager Neil Critchley confirmed that Barnet-born Oyegoke is nearing a departure from the club. He is one of the first names on Hearts' matchday team sheet but was not called up for the visit of Kilmarnock yesterday, fuelling rumours that a transfer could be on the cards.

Oyegoke joined Hearts from Brentford on a three-year deal and has appeared in 26 games for the Edinburgh club this season. He is currently on the radar of several Italian clubs including Lecce, who are looking to sign him before the close of the current January transfer window.

Mr Critchley said: "We’ve had a bid from another club, so they’re negotiating. It’s close to being finalised but not completed so we’ll see in the next 24 to 48 hours.”

Oyegoke left Arsenal in 2021 after declining a new contract, subsequently joining Brentford's B team. Over  the course of his career, he has spent time on loan at Milton Keynes Dons and Bradford City making a total of 37 appearances in the English Football League.