13g/6a: Cardiff City, Bordeaux target Otele named in Romanian SuperLiga Best XI for regular season

In-demand CFR Cluj striker Philip Otele has been recognized for his outstanding performances over the course of the regular season of the Romanian Supelliga, with the official website of the Liga Profesionistă de Fotbal naming the Nigerian in its Best XI.

Otele directly participated in 19 goals (13 goals, 6 assists) in thirty appearances in the SuperLiga, 23 of which he started. 

Using LPF statistics including number of matches played, goals scored and decisive assists as well as the nominations made by television pundits, the Liga Profesionistă de Fotbal came up with an ideal XI with Otele making the cut.

In a 4-3-3 formation, Otele was one of the three forwards named in the Best XI, alongside FC Rapid Bucharest's Albion Rrahmani and FCSB's Romania international Florinel Coman.

CFR Cluj have a tough task on their hands to keep hold of the Nigerian beyond the end of the season as several teams in Europe have been keeping tabs on him. 

Allnigeriasoccer.com can exclusively report that Cardiff City tested the waters regarding the signing of Otele but he was not keen on a move to the second tier of English football.

The Bluebirds Head of Recruitment, Patrick Deboys was in touch with the player's camp  in the winter transfer market.

Interest from French clubs Bordeaux and Lorient was more concrete but bids of 1.3 million euros and 1.8 million euros respectively were rejected by CFR Cluj , who are holding out for a fee of four million euros for the 24-year-old. 

German Bundesliga club VfB Stuttgart and Turkish Super Lig team Trabzonspor attempted to sign Otele in the last transfer window but were unsuccessful.

The former Kauno Zalgiris and UTA Arad star is under contract at CFR Club until June 2025 and his deal with the Railwaymen includes the option of an additional season.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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