Nigeria goalkeeper Maduka Okoye says he is fully focused on Udinese despite reported interest from Germany, England, France and Turkey. The 26-year-old also has a contract that runs until the summer of 2028, so any move would need to clear a long remaining deal first.
Okoye Keeps His Head at Udinese
He drew the line plainly: “I am really very happy at Udinese and I really appreciates the association, all the employees, the beautiful city that has become my second home, and the people very much,” Okoye said. He added, “Also the peace and routine I found here. Of course, I still have goals in my career, but currently my head is complete at Udinese.”
That is the clearest answer to the market noise around him. Okoye said he is not spending his energy on the future and made his stance even firmer with one sentence: “But until then, I’m 100 percent Udinese professional.”
Transfer Interest From Several Leagues
The interest is not limited to one country. His agent has been contacted by clubs from all the top four leagues, including Bundesliga sides, along with top teams from the Turkish Süper Lig, while the reports also link him with England and France.
Okoye framed that attention as part of the job rather than a signal to force a move. “It is a good push for me as a person to know that you are in demand and that one or the other club is on the list,” he said, then pointed the decision-making toward his advisors, including Gabriele Giuffrida.
Udinese Form Changed the Picture
The timing of the interest matches his season at Udine. Okoye finished the 2025/26 campaign with 30 appearances, 30 starts, 2,617 minutes, 10 clean sheets and a save percentage of almost 72 percent, plus an average FotMob rating of 7.01.
He became Udinese’s first-choice goalkeeper after serving a two-month suspension in 2025, then returned to finish in the top half of Serie A. He was later cleared of sporting fraud allegations after the suspension, and that comeback has kept him in view for both club and country.
For Nigeria, the next stretch also matters. Okoye has 21 caps, played in friendlies against Poland and Portugal earlier this month, and sits in a stronger position as AFCON 2027 qualifiers are set to begin in September. The practical picture is simple: Udinese hold the contract, Okoye holds the shirt for now, and any club that wants him has to make a serious move before his focus shifts.
