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By Peter Akinbo
Watford are trying to snap up highly-rated teenager Daniel Daga amid competition from Premier League giants Liverpool and Serie A’s AC Milan, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The 16-year-old turned heads with his performances for Nigeria at this year’s U-20 World Cup in Argentina, playing above his age group.
The combative defensive midfielder plays for FC One Rocket in the Nigerian National League but it’s his performances for the Nigerian U-20 side, at the Africa Cup of Nations and the World Cup, where he was part of the team that were beaten by South Korea in the quarter-finals, that have piqued interest outside his homeland.
Daga is a strong tackler that reads the game well and is an asset sweeping up in front of the defence. On the ball, he’s composed and confident with a good range of passing, but his contributions in the final third are more as a distributor, often looking to pick out more attack-minded teammates, than a threat in and around the box or as a ball carrier.
The Telegraph reported on Tuesday that Watford were working on a move for Daga as they looked to beat some of Europe’s top clubs in the race for his signature.
It is understood that the teenager was at Vicarage Road to see Valerien Ismael’s side demolish QPR 4-0 on the opening weekend of the Championship season.
Last month, Daga spoke openly about his future, confirming the interest in him from clubs across Europe, including AC Milan and Liverpool, and outlined his lofty ambitions in the game.
“Yeah, many clubs,” the 16-year-old replied when quizzed about who was interested in him.
“Many clubs apart from AC Milan, Liverpool, Anderlecht. Many other clubs are looking for me — Watford, Club Brugge; in Denmark, Midtjylland. It’s true they are all looking for me. But I’m not yet at the point because I’m looking for where I can play. Because in two years I’ll be playing at the top like (Victor) Osimhen.”
On what he hopes to achieve in the future, Daga said, “I want to see myself playing at Real Madrid, Liverpool, Chelsea, Man City, Man United; play in the Champions League; play in the FA Cup, win the FA Cup and win Champions League in the next five years.
“Because I have the belief, the confidence and boldness that I’m going to be there in the next five years and I’ll be playing in the Super Eagles. I know Nigerians want to see me in the Super Eagles and I believe myself to play in the national team. It may not be the time I’ll start playing yet, but I believe 100 per cent I’ll play (for the) Super Eagles soon.”