'Udinese wanted N26.6b' - Super Eagles GK Okoye reveals why dream move to Inter Milan fell through

Maduka Okoye has explained why a dream move to Italian Serie A champions Inter Milan did not materialize in the summer transfer window. 

The Super Eagles goalkeeper has suggested that Inter Milan were priced out of a move, with Udinese demanding a fee of fifteen million euros (approximately N26.6 billion). 

After the Bianconeri refused to do business with the Nerazzurri, they moved quickly to tie him up to a new contract, until the end of the 2027-2028 season.

Inter Milan were in the market for a reliable backup goalkeeper to 35-year-old ex-Switzerland international Yann Sommer and Okoye was among the three players being considered for the role. 

The Nerazzurri eventually signed Spain national teamer Josep Martínez from Genoa, which ended their pursuit of Okoye.

The Nigeria international has confirmed that Inter Milan were genuinely interested in signing him in the summer transfer window.

Speaking to Transfermarkt, Okoye said: "Yes, it was a concrete thing and it also caused quite a stir.

"Udinese wanted €15 million. There was a bit of coming and going. I felt ahead for a while, but, in the end, the choice fell on Genoa’s Josep Martínez.

"Martínez’s release clause obviously facilitated the negotiation from Inter’s point of view."

Okoye has made it clear he has no regrets over his failed move to Inter Milan and has pledged his allegiance to Udinese in the short term, stressing that he's not moving on to pastures new when the transfer window reopens for business in January 2025.

"I’m not sad about this, I’m happy to continue to be at Udinese. Surely Inter would have been a dream, but I don’t stress and I will continue to look ahead.

"With hard work and consistent performance, something like this can definitely happen again.

"However, I don’t see myself at another club in January."

Okoye is currently on international duty with the Super Eagles in Uyo and was spotted training with his teammates on Tuesday evening, ahead of the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Libya.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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