Maduka Okoye vs Milinkovic-Savic: Three qualities that put Nigerian star ahead in Beşiktaş’ GK race

Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has emerged as a transfer target for Turkish giants Beşiktaş as interest in the Udinese shot-stopper continues to grow ahead of the new season, Afrik-Foot reports.

The 26-year-old has become one of the most sought-after goalkeepers following an impressive campaign in the Serie A and his performances have attracted attention from several clubs looking to strengthen their squads this summer.

Okoye played a key role as Udinese secured a 10th-place finish last season, their highest league finish since the 2012-13 season when they ended the campaign in fifth.

The Nigerian goalkeeper made 30 league appearances, keeping 10 clean sheets, and his consistent displays have reportedly caught the attention of Inter Milan, Juventus, AC Milan, Bournemouth and now Beşiktaş.

According to transfer expert Nicolò Schira, the Turkish heavyweights have added Okoye to their shortlist as they search for a new first-choice goalkeeper. However, they are also monitoring Napoli goalkeeper Vanja Milinković-Savić.

While both goalkeepers enjoyed solid campaigns last season, there are several reasons why Okoye appears to be the stronger option.

Why Maduka Okoye edges Milinković-Savić in Beşiktaş’ goalkeeper race

Both goalkeepers made important contributions for their respective clubs last season, but Maduka Okoye stands out in several key areas.

The Super Eagles goalkeeper registered 81 saves in Serie A last season, more than the 56 saves recorded by Milinković-Savić despite playing only three more league matches.

Although Maduka Okoye featured in more games, his Serbian counterpart played at Napoli under Antonio Conte, who were one of the strongest defensive sides in the Italian league, while Udinese’s defence faced far more pressure throughout the campaign.

Despite that, Okoye still managed to keep 10 clean sheets and was instrumental in helping Udinese secure a top-half finish.

More importantly, Okoye prevented approximately 4.4 goals, compared to 0.6 for Milinković-Savić. This number highlights the quality of his saves and also shows that he consistently prevented goals beyond what would normally be expected from an average goalkeeper.

Another area where Okoye has the edge is his ability to distribute the ball, particularly with long passes.

The Nigerian goalkeeper averaged 46.6 accurate long balls, compared to 38.5 by Milinković-Savić. He also recorded a superior long-ball accuracy rate of 39.7%, better than the Serbian’s 33.3%, which would suit Beşiktaş’ style of play.

Okoye also ranks higher when it comes to defensive actions outside his penalty area. The Super Eagles goalkeeper averaged 0.9 clearances per 90 minutes, outperforming Milinković-Savić in that aspect. His willingness to come off his line and deal with danger also adds another dimension to his game.

That ability could prove crucial for a team like Beşiktaş, who often play with a high defensive line and require a goalkeeper capable of sweeping up danger behind the defence.

Udinese have already placed a price tag of around €15 million for Okoye, which also makes him a more affordable option than Milinković-Savić.

If Beşiktaş decide that the Nigerian is their preferred target and are willing to meet Udinese’s valuation, Okoye could be on his way to Turkey for the next chapter of his career in the coming weeks.