Inter Milan have been linked with interest in the 24 year-old
Maduka Okoye is with Nigeria for the WCQ this June
Inter Milan is reportedly in negotiations to acquire Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye.
Okoye, 24, is valued at €15 million, including bonuses and add-ons.
Nerazzurri want to acquire the Nigerian to as successor current to current first choice goalkeeper Yann Sommer.
Sky Sport Italia’s transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio reports that Okoye is a top target for Inter, with talks underway to finalize a deal this summer.
Although Okoye was not Udinese’s first-choice goalkeeper initially, he rosed to prominence in the second half of the season and played a crucial role in ensuring the team’s safety in the final round of the Serie A season.
The former Watford and Sparta Rotterdam, made 22 appearances this season across Serie A and the Coppa Italia and was voted man of the match against Juventus.
Inter is currently negotiating to reduce the asking price of €12 million plus add-ons and a deal could be agreed in the coming days.
Maduka Okoye, who turns 25 in August, has 16 senior caps for Nigeria and is under contract with Udinese until June 2027.
The Two-month old reign of Finidi George as Super Eagles head coach will be tested greatly when he leads his side out today, against South Africa, in their FIFA World Cup Qualifying match in Uyo.
Former Nigerian international, Greg Etafia has cautioned the Super Eagles not to underestimate South Africa in their upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifier in Uyo.
Hugo Broos says Bafana Bafana are the underdogs against Super Eagles
Broos will hope for a win in Uyo to boost South Africa’s World Cup hopes
Nigeria beat South Africa in the last meeting, but the Bafana coach insists his team was unlucky
South Africa’s head coach, Hugo Broos has declared that the onus is on Nigeria to beat his side.
Broos insists Bafana Bafana are the underdogs heading in Friday’s match in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
The Super Eagles are under scrutiny following a lackluster start in Group C where the team have picked only two points from their first two matches.
New gaffer Finidi George is now under immense pressure to turn the team’s fortunes around as they face Bafana Bafana.
“The Super Eagles will be eager not to disappoint their fans which will put them under significant pressure to win the game,” Broos said in the pre-match presser.
“We’re no longer afraid, not scared of Nigeria’s ‘Super players’. The onus is on Nigeria not to disappoint their fans who missed the glamour of the last World Cup in Qatar because the Super Eagles did not participate.”
He added: “So, they have to now prove to their fans that their 2023 AFCON feat was not a fluke. We have made our mark and South Africans now believe in Bafana Bafana.
“We proved this during the last Nations Cup, hence our fans in South Africa believe in Bafana Bafana because of their 2023 Nations Cup feat.”
Finidi George insists he is under no pressure ahead of his first official game
Nigeria hosts South Africa in a World Cup Qualifying match
The Super Eagles have two points from two matches in Group C
Finidi George expressed his confidence in his ability to guide Nigeria to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The 53 year-old succeeded Jose Peseiro as Super Eagles head coach, with the team having picked only two points from as many games in the World Cup qualifiers.
Finidi was named caretaker coach in March, and oversaw two friendlies against Ghana and Mali.
The Super Eagles triumphed over Ghana but later suffered a defeat against Mali, prompting some to question George’s capabilities.
As the Super Eagles prepare for their upcoming World Cup qualifier against South Africa, the Coach remains unfazed by his critics.
“I don’t have anything to prove,” Finidi said in his pre-match conference. “I am relaxed, it is football. I want to win, I understand the tasks. I am not scared; I played at the highest level, and we are going for a win.”
The former Nigerian winger boasts an impressive playing career, having earned 62 caps, and winning the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
His coaching credentials are also noteworthy, including guiding Enyimba to the NPFL title and was assistant coach when Nigeria finished as runners-up in the most recent AFCON.
Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup received a major boost after Benin Republic defeated Rwanda in Côte d’Ivoire on Thursday night.