Galatasaray set sights on Nigeria’s Maduka Okoye as Muslera’s successor

|By Babatunji Wusu-

-Super Eagles star linked to Turkish giants amid €15m price tag
-Goalkeeper faces betting probe despite stellar Serie A season

Turkish champions, Galatasaray, have identified Nigerian international and Udinese shot-stopper, Maduka Okoye, as their top choice to replace veteran goalkeeper Fernando Muslera ahead of the new season.

The move comes as the club edges closer to finalizing a high-profile deal for Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen — signaling a strong Nigerian presence in their rebuilding strategy.

Despite off-field concerns, Galatasaray have opened talks with Udinese to assess Okoye’s availability. The 24-year-old goalkeeper is currently under investigation for alleged involvement in a betting fraud linked to Udinese’s Serie A clash against Lazio on March 11, 2024. However, the controversy has not diminished his value in the transfer market.

Okoye joined Udinese from Watford in the summer of 2023 and quickly established himself as a key figure for the Italian club. Last season, he featured in 48 matches across all competitions, keeping ten clean sheets and earning praise for his commanding presence between the sticks.

Italian outlet Calcio reports that Udinese have placed a €15 million price tag on the Nigerian, underscoring his growing value in European football.

Galatasaray view Okoye not just as a short-term fix, but as a long-term replacement for Muslera, whose legendary run at the club appears to be winding down.

Okoye’s camp has yet to respond publicly to the transfer links or the betting investigation, leaving room for speculation as the summer window intensifies.