Super Eagles: Moving to Everton or Genoa Could Boost Ryan Alebiosu’s Nigeria Prospects

Super Eagles defender Ryan Alebiosu has moved from being one of Blackburn Rovers’ smartest signings to one of the most sought‑after right‑backs outside the Premier League, Afrik‑Foot reports.

The 24‑year‑old joined Blackburn for a relatively modest six‑figure fee last summer and quickly became one of the club’s most important players during his first season at Ewood Park. His attacking threat, consistency and energy down the right flank helped Blackburn avoid relegation from the Championship and also pushed him into the Super Eagles picture.

Alebiosu finished the campaign with one goal and five assists in 39 league appearances. His impressive performances earned him a Nigeria call‑up and a place in the squad for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Interest in the former Arsenal academy defender has grown rapidly. Blackburn rejected a €5 million offer from Italian side Genoa during the January transfer window because the club was fighting to secure Championship survival.

Now, with the season over, interest has intensified. Everton are monitoring his progress closely, while Rangers and Wolfsburg are also among the clubs tracking the Nigerian defender ahead of the summer transfer window.

Blackburn are prepared to listen to offers and have reportedly placed a €4.9 million (£4.3 million) valuation on the player. However, with Alebiosu tied to a contract until June 2028 and the option of an extra year, the club remains in a strong negotiating position.

While Alebiosu is understood to be happy at Blackburn, the opportunity to test himself in one of Europe’s top leagues could prove difficult to ignore.

Blackburn proud of Alebiosu’s rise as Premier League and Serie A clubs circle

Blackburn’s Head of Football Operations, Rudy Gestede, recently revealed that Premier League and Serie A clubs have already made enquiries about the defender.

“When we bring players to a club, it’s a bit like our children. We chose them. We observed them, we talked to them, we recruited them,” Gestede explained to FootMercato while discussing the club’s recruitment strategy.

“With some, it works right away. With others, it doesn’t work immediately or at all. If out of five signatures, you have three that work and two that don’t, that’s a pretty good ratio.”

“I try not to have more affection for one or the other. But last season, we signed a right‑back who had gone through the Arsenal academy and who had signed for Kortrijk in Belgium. The first six months didn’t work out too well, then he spent six months in St. Mirren, Scotland.”

“We signed it when for some it was a discovery. But we did our scouting job. This season, he is one of the best right‑backs in the Championship.”

“We already have requests in the Premier League and in Serie A. So we are quite satisfied. We tell ourselves that we have done a good job of scouting. We managed to find an environment in which he flourished.”

“You can sign the best player, but if the environment doesn’t allow players to flourish, it’s not going to work. When you recruit, the personality of the player is almost as important as the physical or technical abilities.”

Blackburn clearly rate Alebiosu highly after a campaign that included standout displays against Coventry City and Sheffield United late in the season.

Although there was a slight drop in form after his return from AFCON, the Nigerian finished strongly and reminded potential suitors why clubs from England, Italy and Germany are following him so closely.

Why an Everton or Genoa move could boost his Super Eagles hopes

A transfer to Everton or Genoa could be about much more than club football. It may also be crucial for Alebiosu’s ambitions of becoming Nigeria’s long‑term first‑choice right‑back under Eric Chelle.

After obtaining his Nigerian passport and making his competitive senior debut during Nigeria’s 3‑1 AFCON victory over Uganda, Alebiosu showed he is capable of performing on the international stage. However, remaining in the Championship may not carry the same weight as playing regularly in the Premier League or Serie A.

A move to Genoa would expose him to one of Europe’s most tactically demanding leagues, helping him develop stronger defensive awareness and positional discipline. Everton, meanwhile, would provide weekly Premier League tests against some of the world’s best attackers.

Playing at a higher level would also reduce the physical strain that comes with the Championship’s gruelling 46‑match league schedule. Alebiosu previously experienced how demanding that calendar can be when injury problems interrupted his AFCON campaign.

The timing is especially important because competition for Nigeria’s right‑back position has become fiercer. Established internationals Ola Aina and Bright Osayi‑Samuel remain ahead in the pecking order, while Banik Ostrava defender Abdullahi Bewene has emerged as a serious challenger after impressing on his senior debut against Poland.

Bewene’s versatility and strong performances in Europe have added further pressure on Alebiosu. As a result, securing regular football in a top‑five European league could help him strengthen his standing with the national team and position himself as a genuine contender for upcoming World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The biggest danger, however, is moving to a bigger club and losing playing time. At Blackburn, Alebiosu enjoyed the trust of his coaches and started regularly. If a move to Everton or Genoa leaves him on the bench, his momentum could quickly disappear and his place in future Super Eagles squads could come under threat.

For that reason, Alebiosu’s next decision may be one of the most important of his career. Staying at Blackburn offers security and guaranteed minutes, but moving to Everton or Genoa could provide the platform he needs to become a permanent fixture in the Super Eagles.