After opting to play for Nigeria over England’s Three Lions squad, Leicester City forward, Ademola Lookman’s Super Eagles debut is facing a delay.

BBC Sports Africa reports that the 24-year-old who is eligible to play for the Gernot Rohr’s side through his Nigerian parents had helped England win the Under-20 World Cup in 2017.

Lookman has been on the radar of the Nigeria Football Federation since 2017 despite already playing for England’s U-19 and U-20 squad.

Confirming NFF’s interest back in 2017, an official Bitrus Bewarang said, “he has Nigerian parents and we’d need to speak to him first.”

About four years after, the 24-year-old who plays alongside regular Eagles stars, Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho, is being delayed by the NFF.

According to the British publication, the NFF is yet to apply to world governing body FIFA for a nationality switch because he has played for England at Under-19, Under-20 and Under-21 levels.

“We are aware of Lookman’s desire to play for us and I have spoken to him as well. However, there is a process to it,” NFF chief scout Tunde Adelakun said.

“After this process, then comes the consideration and decision of the head coach [Gernot Rohr] on whether or when he deems it fit to get him involved.”

The swift-footed attacker joined Charlton Athletic’s academy at the age of 17 in 2014 he rose quickly to the first team for his debut in November 2015.

After 12 goals in 49 appearances over two seasons, Lookman caught the eyes of Everton and signed a four-and-a-half-year deal in January 2017 where he registered four goals in 48 apps for the Toffees, before a brief loan spell with RB Leipzig in the 2017-18 season.

He penned a permanent five-year deal in July 2019 with the Germans and spent last season on loan at Fulham who relegated under Scott Parker, scoring four goals in 35 apps.

Lookman who is currently on loan at the King Power Stadium has scored twice in nine appearances since joining Leicester City on a season-long loan in August.

The youngster will join the likes of Sone Aluko, Victor Moses, Shola Ameobi, Alex Iwobi and Ola Aina, to dump England for Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the quartet of Sheyi Ojo (Millwall), Ovie Ejaria (Reading), Chuba Akpom (PAOK) and Ike Ugbo (Genk), born in England to Nigerian parents, have also made themselves available to the three-time African champions.

However, if Lookman gets clearance from Fifa to play for Gernot Rohr’s side, he would face competition from Villarreal’s Samuel Chukwueze, Samuel Kalu of Bordeaux and Lorient’s Terem Moffi.