Obiefule was almost an ‘Orn

Lyn Oslo have revealed that Watford came very close to signing 22 year old Paul Obiefule on loan until the end of the season with a view to purchasing the player in the summer transfer window.

The Nigerian midfielder is regarded as one of the hottest properties in Norwegian football and has caught the eye of many other clubs in Britain as well as on the continent.  

Watford however, pulled out of the deal with John Obi Mikel’s former club, when Obiefule had to undergo knee surgery on 15 January.

“They wanted to take him on loan, with an option in the contract to buy him,” Rof Magne, Lyn’s sporting director, told Nettavisen (an online Norwegian newspaper). 

The Eliteserien (Norway’s Premiership) is currently struggling financially and the move would have benefited all concerned.

Magne said: “it could have been a good deal.

“However, from a sporting perspective, it is of course great to keep Paul at Lyn.”

Obiefule says he is now fully focused on doing his best for Lyn in the upcoming season, which begins in April, but has not ruled out a move in the future.

“I am playing for Lyn and I want to give everything to ensure that we have a successful season,” he said.

“But I am not excluding anything in the future.”