Manchester City starlet Tosin Adarabioyo at centre of tug-of-war between England and Nigeria

Manchester City starlet Tosin Adarabioyo is at the centre of an international tug-of-war between England and Nigeria.

The highly-rated central defender has been tipped for senior international honours and represented England juniors all the way up to Under-19 level.

However, the 20-year-old is being targeted by Nigeria, his country of heritage.

Adarabioyo was made available for loan by City during the final 48 hours of the transfer window following the signing of Aymeric Laporte.

But a deal failed to materialise with the youngster named on the bench by Pep Guardiola for City’s win over West Brom on Wednesday night.

The Super Eagles had planned to watch Adarabioyo play sustained senior football before deciding whether to tempt him with a place in their World Cup squad.

Nevertheless, Nigeria’s concrete interest in Adarabioyo remains, leaving the Football Association in a fight to keep hold of the defender, who has made seven first-team appearances for City.

Nigeria have successfully persuaded Victor Moses and Alex Iwobi, who have both played for England at junior level, to change their international allegiance in recent years.

Players are only fully committed to a nation once they’ve played a competitive fixture.