Serie A champions Inter Milan have been linked with a shock move for Udinese and Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye.
According to transfer market expert Gianluca Di Marzio, the Nerazzurri are seeking a reliable backup goalkeeper for Switzerland international Yann Sommer, and the Nigeria international is one of three candidates being considered for the role.
After being an unused substitute for 16 straight matches in the Serie A, Okoye replaced Marco Silvestri as Udinese's first-choice goalkeeper in the latter half of the recently concluded season.
Okoye made crucial saves and was instrumental in helping Udinese maintain their top-flight status by the end of the campaign.
The 24-year-old made 21 appearances for Udinese, conceded 25 goals and kept five clean sheets, and was featured in the Serie A Team of the Week on two occasions.
Okoye to compete with Bento and Martínez for Inter Milan's backup goalkeeper role
Di Marzio further reported that, in addition to the Nigerian, Inter are considering moves for Brazilian goalkeeper Bento Matheus Krepski of Athletico Paranaense and Spanish goalkeeper Josep Martínez of Genoa, but the club intends to sign only one goalkeeper out of the three.
Martinez made 36 Serie A appearances for Genoa, conceded 43 goals and kept eight clean sheets.
Bento, on the other hand, has so far made seven appearances for Athletico Paranaense in the Brasileirão Serie A and has conceded four goals while keeping four clean sheets.
Okoye arrives in Super Eagles camp for South Africa clash
Preparations for Friday's crucial clash with South Africa have been plagued by challenging logistics, with some players struggling to reach Uyo after arriving in Nigeria from various locations due to the NLC strike.
The Udinese goal custodian was the only invited player who was not in camp for lunch on Wednesday, but he had already arrived in Nigeria and had booked a flight to the Federal Capital.
The arrival of goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, the final expected player, was confirmed on Thursday morning through the Super Eagles’ official X page.
“Update: All 23 players are now in camp #soarsupereagles,” the short statement on the page read.
Okoye is returning to the team after a hiatus since the conclusion of the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
Since his debut in 2019 in a friendly against Brazil, Okoye has represented the Super Eagles on 16 occasions.
