Nigeria international goalkeeper Maduka Okoye nearly made a move from Udinese to Inter Milan during the summer transfer window, but the €15 million asking price was a sticking point.
According to Football Italia, Inter was looking for a goalkeeper to serve as both an understudy and a future successor to Switzerland’s Yann Sommer, which led them to focus on Okoye.
“The interest from Inter was concrete, but Udinese were asking for €15m to buy me,” the shot-stopper told Transfermarkt. “It would’ve been a dream, but I don’t regret how things went. I am happy to still be at this club, to be the Number 1 here. The situation could repeat itself if I keep working hard and maintain constant performances.
“I want to stay in Italy, this is a choice I have made. I like this land, the people in it and the atmosphere. I am happy in Udine and want to take the club high with as many points as possible.”
Born in Germany and playing his international football for Nigeria with 16 senior caps, the 25-year-old had experiences in Germany, the Netherlands and even England with Watford before coming to Udinese in 2023.
“I don’t see myself being elsewhere in January, as my focus is all on Udinese. I want to end the season here and continue working with Runjaic, who is a very important coach for me.”
Meanwhile, Okoye has revealed first meeting with Fabio Cannavaro, adding he enjoyed working with the former Italy’s captain for a very brief period to avoid relegation from Serie A.
“He is a special person, like a big brother or a cousin. I’d only ever seen him on TV or in a Play Station game, but he came up, hugged me and said: ‘I am your new coach.’
“He approached us like the head of the family, cancelling out the pressure we had around us at that moment. Cannavaro will have success as a coach, 100 per cent.”
