SAMUEL Kalu’s proposed move to Watford has hit a snag over a United Kingdom work permit application, according to reports in France.
The Nigeria winger was set to complete a €4m switch from French club Bordeaux to the struggling English Premier League side having already agreed a deal.
However, L’Equipe reported on Tuesday that the move has been delayed by a work permit (“Governing Body Endorsement”) issue based on Kalu’s appearances for the Super Eagles.An exemption request has now been made as the 24-year-old has not played enough matches in recent times for his national team to qualify for a British work permit.
He does not have the necessary national team playing time to reach the 15-point total to play in the Premier League.
Watford are confident the issue will be resolved in their favour but for now the move cannot be official.
Kalu has played 17 times for the Super Eagles and scored twice, but his last appearance for the national team was in September 2020, in the 1-0 friendly defeat to Algeria in Austria.
There have been reports that he asked not to be invited for international fixtures due to undisclosed reasons.
The skilful wide forward has played 12 times this season for Bordeaux, scoring once, but he last featured for them in November.