England are hoping Arsenal youngster Alex Iwobi will reject Nigeria call-up and opt to turn back to the Three Lions, having already represented England at Under-16, Under-17 and Under-18 levels.

The 19-year-old striker has impressed in his full Premier League debut against Everton on Saturday and he also featured in the midweek match against Barcelona in the Champions League.

Iwobi has started three of Arsenal’s last four games capping the wonderful performance against Toffees with a goal and a man-of-the-match display.

Independent now claims Alex Iwobi is currently at the centre of a tug-of-war as the player is being urged to choose England over the country of his berth.

Nigeria head coach Samson Siasia has named Iwobi in the latest squad for the Africa Cup of Nations crucial qualifying two-legged tie against Egypt and England FA are reportedly ready to make a last-gasp attempt to persuade the Arsenal starlet to change his mind before the first leg on Friday.

Alex Iwobi, the nephew of Jay-Jay Okocha, has featured in two friendly games for Super Eagles but his long-term senior international future was seemingly undecided.

However, the Arsenal starlet has already arrived in Nigeria on Sunday and England are apparently losing the race to persuade the 19-year-old to change his mind after already letting Iwobi slip through their fingers.

Namely, Iwobi was not called for England Under-19 and there is still no suggestion if England plan to fast-track the talented striker into the senior set-up, but FA chiefs reportedly see him as a future Three Lions star and are willing to pull a EURO 2016 card to make him change his mind.

Hodgson’s men have had a successful qualifying campaign and will be fighting in Group B together with Russia, Slovakia and Wales.

England are given the odds of 13.00 (12/1) @WilliamHill to be a surprise package in France and win the trophy and the FA are hoping to make Iwobi part of the surprise.

Still, should Alex Iwobi play a part in Nigeria’s competitive fixture against Egypt, he would no longer be eligible to play for England, according to FIFA rules.