Why Rafiu Durosinmi’s move to Lazio could be a game-changer, Ikpeba shares thoughts

• Nigerian young forward Durosinmi has been in fine form, netting five goals and providing two assists this season, making him a hot prospect for top European clubs.
• Former Super Eagles star Victor Ikpeba has urged Plzen to be more flexible in negotiations, stressing that blocking the transfer could hurt the young striker’s career
• Plzen’s €4 million asking price has slowed negotiations, but Ikpeba believes the move to Serie A could be life-changing for Durosinmi.

Former Super Eagles forward Victor Ikpeba has thrown his weight behind Nigerian striker Rafiu Durosinmi’s potential move to Italian Serie A side Lazio, urging Viktoria Plzen to be more accommodating in negotiations.

Durosinmi, currently plying his trade in the Czech Republic with Viktoria Plzen, has been making waves with his performances in both the domestic league and the UEFA Europa League. 

The 22-year-old forward has been in fine form this season, scoring five goals and providing two assists in 12 appearances. 

His impressive displays have not gone unnoticed, with Lazio reviving their interest after initially scouting him last summer. However, negotiations have stalled due to Plzen’s firm stance on their €4 million asking price.

Ikpeba, a former Monaco and Borussia Dortmund striker, believes the Czech club should reconsider their position to facilitate Durosinmi’s progress. 

Speaking to a popular French sports outlet, the ex-CAF Player of the Year emphasised the importance of allowing young players to seize career-defining opportunities,

“We must respect Viktoria Plzen’s valuation of the player, but I think they should be more flexible for the sake of his career. Situations like this can be mentally challenging for a player his age, as they may feel let down by their club,” Ikpeba stated.

Lazio’s renewed pursuit of Durosinmi signals their desire to bolster their attacking options, with the Nigerian forward seen as a promising addition to Maurizio Sarri’s squad. 

The Italian club, known for nurturing attacking talent, could provide the perfect environment for Durosinmi to flourish. Turkish giants Besiktas are also reportedly monitoring the situation, while interest from clubs in England adds further intrigue to the transfer saga.

Ikpeba stressed the importance of Lazio’s interest, urging Plzen to find common ground with the Italian side, 

“It’s not every day that a club like Lazio knocks on your door, for a young player, it’s a dream. He has immense potential, and a move to Serie A could help him grow into a world-class forward,” he remarked.

With Durosinmi’s future a bit dicey at the moment, the coming weeks leading to the summer transfer window will be crucial as Viktoria Plzen decides whether to hold firm or negotiate a deal that could impact the young forward’s career for good.

Super Eagles' World Cup hopeful opens up about his struggles with professionalism in football

Previously, TheRadar reported that despite leading the Belgian Jupiler Pro League’s scoring charts, Nigerian striker Tolu Arokodare has admitted that professionalism remains his biggest area for improvement. 

Arokodare’s revelation comes at an important moment as he prepares to represent Nigeria in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Having been named in the Super Eagles’ final squad, his performances have not gone unnoticed.