Head coach of the Super Eagles, Sunday Oliseh has held talks with Liverpool starlet, Jordan Ibe in an attempt to convince the 19-year-old to switch his allegiance to Nigeria at senior international level. SuperSport.com reports
Ibe has represented England at U18m 19 and 20 levels and was recently promoted to Gareth Southgate’s U21s but is still eligible to play for Nigeria at the highest level because of his Nigerian roots.
Oliseh was at Melwood this week with a high-powered Nigerian delegation to further push home his point but the Football Association (England FA) is now expected to redouble their efforts to keep hold of Ibe who was once described as the future of the England national team by Daniel Sturridge.
Ibe spent the early years of his life in Bermondsey, London, but his parents hail from Nigeria and the personal visit from Oliseh underlines Nigeria’s intent to make the young Liverpool forward an integral part of the national team.
If Ibe eventually says “Yes” to Nigeria, he will follow in the footsteps of players like Victor Moses and Shola Ameobi who went on to represent Nigeria at senior level after previously playing for England at youth level.
Ibe will not be bound to England until his plays in a competitive game for them but the FA are keen to keep him within their set up and Southgate and FA Technical Director, Dan Ashworth, are now likely to get in touch and counter Nigeria's overtures.
Ibe made his senior Liverpool debut in 2012.
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