Gift Orban: Two key reasons Venezia have revived pursuit of Nigeria-eligible forward

Nigeria-eligible forward Gift Orban remains on the radar of newly promoted Italian side Venezia ahead of a possible move during the summer transfer window, Afrik-Foot reports.

Venezia had previously shown interest in Orban and could now revive their pursuit as they look to strengthen their squad ahead of their return to Serie A.

The 23-year-old has endured a difficult few years, with some of his recent moves failing to work out as expected. However, his loan spell at Hellas Verona from Hoffenheim last summer offered a more positive chapter in his career.

Orban enjoyed an impressive campaign at Verona and was one of the club’s standout performers over the course of the season. However, his performances were not enough to keep the club in Serie A, as they finished 19th in the standings and were relegated to the second division.

Despite his strong form, Hellas Verona decided against making his move permanent. While their relegation played a major part in that decision, Orban’s disciplinary problems also influenced the outcome. The Nigerian was involved in a physical altercation with a fan towards the end of the season and was left out of Verona’s final five games of the campaign as a result.

Orban is now expected to return to Hoffenheim, but reports from TuttoMercatoWeb suggest that Venezia could make another move for him after expressing interest earlier in the transfer window.

With no clear pathway at Hoffenheim, he could be on his way back to the Serie A and several factors suggest the move could make sense for both the player and the newly promoted club.

Gift Orban’s goalscoring pedigree

Orban showed impressive goalscoring ability during the early stages of his career at KAA Gent, where his impressive form quickly put him on the radar of several clubs across Europe.

His performances eventually earned him a move to Lyon, but he struggled for regular playing time in France before facing a similar challenge at Hoffenheim.

However, Orban has continued to show his quality whenever he has been given an opportunity and it was evident again during his spell at Hellas Verona last season. Despite playing in a struggling side, he managed seven goals in 28 Serie A appearances and remained a threat in front of goal.

Venezia will be determined to avoid an immediate return to Serie B following their promotion, and Orban could be an important addition to their squad next season. His experience in Serie A could prove crucial in their fight for survival, while his goals may be one of the key factors in helping the club remain in the top flight.

A more affordable option for Venezia

With no clear role waiting for him at Hoffenheim, Orban is likely to leave the Bundesliga club this summer, either on another loan deal or through a permanent transfer.

The 23-year-old is valued at around €7 million by Transfermarkt and Hoffenheim will likely want to recoup part of the money they spent, which could see both clubs reach an agreement on a transfer fee or a loan arrangement with an option to buy.

Venezia have also explored possible moves for Niclas Füllkrug and Stephan El Shaarawy. However, both players could demand significantly higher wages, which may be difficult for the newly promoted club to afford and Orban could therefore represent a cheaper alternative.

As he waits for clarity over his future, Orban will need to carefully consider his next move as he looks to rediscover the form he showed during the early days of his career.