Arsenal transfer news: Gunners leading race to sign Nigerian wonderkids Kelechi Nwakali and Samuel Chukwuese

Arsenal are believed to have moved ahead of Bayern Munich in the race to land the 17-year-old pair

Nigerian Under-17 international Kelechi Nwakali is on the verge of joining Arsenal (Getty Images)

Arsenal are closing in on two unexpected signings this month after stealing a march on Bayern Munich in the race to sign highly-rated Nigerian teenagers Kelechi Nwakali and Samuel Chukwuese.

Fans are eagerly awaiting the confirmation that Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Elneny has joined the club, with manager Arsene Wenger confirming that the deal is as good as done subject to a work permit and visa approval.

However, the announcement of Elneny’s arrival – for a fee in the region of £7.4m – could be complemented by the addition Nwakali and Chukuese with the belief that they will sign professional contracts with the Gunners when they both turn 18, according to The Times.

Bayern had been in the race to sign the pair while Manchester City were monitoring Nwakali, with his older brother, Chidiebere, currently on the books at the Etihad.

Both Nwakali and Chukwueze currently play for the All Star Junior Academy in Owerri, although it’s believed that Nwakali is also partly owned by the Diamon Football Academy of Umuahia, and the deal to bring them to the Emirates will cost at least £3m.

The move will see Wenger continue his preference to develop young footballers with potential into first-team members, with current first-team squad members such as Francis Coquelin, Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs all coming through the academy.

The additions, should they go through this month, will also help with Arsenal’s large fan base in Africa. According to a poll carried out by Twitter at the start of the season, Arsenal are the most supported Premier League club in Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda and Malawi, while North African nations such as Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia also hold large fan bases.

Wenger has already admitted that he will look to strengthen his squad this month and made the move for Elneny public last week, although neither Nwakali nor Chukuese are expected to feature in the first-team this season as Wenger chases a Premier League and FA Cup double as well as attempt to overcome reigning Champions League holders Barcelona in the last-16.