Udinese & Nigeria Star Confirms Transfer Rumors: “Inter Milan Really Wanted Me” | OneFootball

Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye ranked highly on the Inter Milan wishlist during the summer transfer window.

During his recent interview with Transfermarkt, as reported by FCInterNews, the Nigeria international delivered an update on the heavy media speculation in the past few months.

It was no secret that Inter scoured the market for Yann Sommer’s long-term heir.

Despite the Swiss veteran’s remarkable showings between the sticks, he will be 36 in December.

Yann Sommer has proved reliable since joining the club from Bayern Munich to replace Andre Onana in the summer of 2023.

However, he’s not getting any younger.

Simone Inzaghi knew he’d rely heavily on the ex-Switzerland international long before the season started.

Therefore, Inter sought a quality goalkeeper, albeit ready to play second fiddle to Somme this season.

Instead of Okoye, they chose Josep Martinez, agreeing to pay Genoa around €15.5 million for the 26-year-old’s services.

He’s been Sommer’s deputy in the early 2024/25 campaign.

And he’ll continue to be Inzaghi’s second choice until the end of the season, barring some unexpected developments.

But he should leapfrog the former Bayern Munich ace in the pecking order afterward.

Udinese & Nigeria Star Confirms Transfer Rumors Linking Him With a Move to Inter Milan This Summer

Inter approached Udinese to discuss Okoye’s switch to Giuseppe Meazza.

The Friulians demanded around €15m to sanction a transfer. Yet, a deal fell through.

Okoye admits talks between the two clubs were intense.

“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.”

Despite failing to move to Meazza, Okoye insists it would’ve been a dream.

“I’m not sad about this, I’m happy to continue to be at Udinese,” he continued.

“Surely Inter would have been a dream, but I don’t stress and I will continue to look ahead.

Okoye played down the possibility of leaving the Bluenergy Stadium this winter.

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

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

“Of course, we have to see when and where the next step can take place, but my focus is all on Udinese.”