Kelechi Nwakali
Kelechi Nwakali [pictured with trophy] and Samuel Chukwueze were instrumental in Nigeria's triumph at the U17 World Cup in Chile last year Getty

Arsenal look to have completed the signing of Nigerian duo Kelechi Nwakali and Samuel Chukwueze from the Diamond Football Academy in Nigeria after the duo were pictured with Arsene Wenger and chief executive officer Ivan Gazidis on 29 January, Friday. The Gunners have been on the duo's trail following their impressive showing in the U17 World Cup last year in Chile, which they won.

The former was the captain of the U17 Nigeria team that triumphed at the World Cup and was also named the player of the tournament, while the latter, who is also a midfielder, was the top scorer in the tournament. The north London club have beaten Chelsea, as they were also said to be interested in Nwakali, who revealed that he models his game in the style of Manchester City star Yaya Toure.

"Exclusive first pics of Nwakali and Chukwueze with Kanu and Arsene Wenger at Arsenal," Nigerian journalist and sports presenter Colin Udoh wrote on his official Instagram account.

Exclusive first pics of Nwakali and Chukwueze with @papilokanu and Arsene Wenger at @Arsenal

A photo posted by Colin Udoh (@colinudoh) on

The 66-year-old French manager had admitted on 29 January during his pre-match press conference ahead of Arsenal's clash against Burnley in the FA Cup fourth round that he hopes to complete the transfer ahead of the 11pm transfer deadline on Monday (1 February).

"There are of course work permit issues, medical issues but it is progressing well. We identified him [Nwakali] after he won player of the tournament [at the under-17 World Cup], he is a top player, we will see if we can manage to get it over the line," Wenger said at the press conference.

Nwakali, meanwhile, according to the Mirror, has already decided on the shirt number he would like to wear at Arsenal. The midfielder is reportedly keen on No 25, as he wants to emulate his hero and Gunners legend Nwankno Kanu. The number, however, is already taken by Carl Jenkinson, who only recently returned from a loan spell at West Ham United after a knee ligament injury brought his season to a pre-mature end.