Italian media say the reigning Serie A champions are considering a January move, though no formal offer has been made.
Want our football coverage to show up first?
Add FootballInNigeria as a preferred source and our stories get a "Preferred" badge in your Google Top Stories, AI Overviews, and AI Mode results.
Inter Milan are reportedly considering a €20 million move for Udinese and Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye ahead of the January transfer window. As reported by FootballInNigeria.com.ng, Italian media say the reigning Serie A champions are reviewing their goalkeeping options.
Udinese are understood to value Okoye at €20 million. Inter haven’t made a formal offer that meets that price, so the interest remains at an early stage.
Okoye joined Udinese from Watford in August 2023 and has become their undisputed first choice. The 27-year-old was named the club’s Player of the Season for 2025/26 after 30 Serie A appearances and 10 clean sheets.
Not The First Time Inter Have Looked
Inter’s interest isn’t new. In the summer of 2024 they wanted Okoye as a long term successor to Yann Sommer, but Udinese asked for €15 million and the deal broke down.
Inter signed Josep Martinez from Genoa instead, helped by his release clause. Okoye later admitted that “Surely Inter would have been a dream,” but he chose to focus on Udinese.
Fans who like to follow transfer news can also read about the Bet9ja sign-up bonus before the window opens.
Why Inter May Be Looking
Inter won the 2025/26 Scudetto under Cristian Chivu, their 21st league title, with Sommer in goal. The Swiss keeper turns 38 in December, so succession planning would make sense.
Okoye’s form would tempt any club. His 2025/26 numbers were strong, and at 1.98 metres he is the type of commanding shot-stopper Serie A sides rate highly.
Super Eagles fans following Nigerians in Europe can also check the Bet9ja promotion code explained ahead of the weekend.
A Tough Week For The Goalkeeper
The rumour comes days after a difficult night for Okoye. Udinese boss Kosta Runjaic blamed a mix-up between the goalkeeper and Nicolò Bertola for Monday’s 2-1 defeat at Torino.
Is that moment likely to change Inter’s thinking? Probably not on its own. One collision doesn’t erase a season in which he kept 10 clean sheets.
Anyone tracking Nigerian players in Serie A can look at Bet9ja’s YOHAIG welcome deal before the next round.
Okoye’s Udinese contract runs to June 2028, according to FotMob, which gives the club a strong hand in any talks. January is still months away, so nothing is certain.
For now, the focus is on the pitch. Udinese face Lecce on Sunday, and Inter take on Bologna a day earlier.
📌 Did You Know?
- Okoye was born in Düsseldorf, Germany, and came through the youth ranks at Bayer Leverkusen.
- He made his Serie A debut on December 30, 2023, starting against Bologna.
- In 2024/25 he kept four clean sheets in 25 Serie A appearances, so last season’s 10 clean sheets were more than double that.
- By the end of 2025/26 he had made 76 Serie A appearances and kept 19 clean sheets in the league.
- Inter clinched their latest title with three games to spare, after a 2-0 win over Parma at San Siro.
