Super Eagles goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye, has dismissed speculation linking him with a move away from Udinese this summer, insisting he remains fully committed to the Serie A club despite reported interest from Juventus and several other top European sides, The Punch reports.
Okoye enjoyed an impressive 2025/26 campaign, recording 10 clean sheets in 30 Serie A appearances as Udinese secured a top-half finish under coach Kosta Runjaic.
His consistent displays in Italy, coupled with his performances for Nigeria in pre-World Cup friendlies against Poland and Portugal, have attracted attention from clubs across Europe’s elite leagues.
The 26-year-old, who has earned 21 caps for the Super Eagles, is valued at €10m by Transfermarkt and still has two years remaining on his current contract.
Despite the growing transfer speculation, he insists his immediate future lies with Udinese.
“Of course, I still have goals in my career, but currently my head is complete at Udinese. I enjoy it without thinking too much about the future. In football things can change quickly, and if it happens, I know that the club is well positioned and can still earn a nice replacement. But until then, I am 100 per cent Udinese professional,” Okoye told Transfermarkt.
During the off-season, Okoye spent time driving a Formula One car and also attended a fashion event in Paris alongside American rapper Cardi B. However, he has since resumed pre-season preparations with Udinese and says his attention is solely on the new campaign.
“I am happy to be here. We are happy to be here with the fans, and we cannot wait to get started,” the goalkeeper said in remarks published by Tuttomercatoweb during the unveiling of Udinese’s 2026/27 kit.
As preparations continue for the new season, Okoye will be aiming to maintain the form that made him one of Serie A’s standout goalkeepers before joining Eric Chelle’s Super Eagles squad for Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in September.
He is expected to battle for the first-choice goalkeeping spot following Stanley Nwabali’s return to South African Premiership side Chippa United.
Udinese will begin their 2026/27 season with a Coppa Italia clash against Serie B club Padova on August 15.
