Okoye sparks Besiktas, Juventus transfer race

Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has emerged as one of the most sought-after goalkeepers in European football this summer, with Italian giants Juventus and 16-time Turkish Süper Lig champions Beşiktaş both locked in pursuit of the Udinese shot-stopper, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Okoye delivered one of the finest campaigns of his career in the 2025/26 Serie A season, keeping 10 clean sheets and conceding 32 goals in 30 appearances — performances that played a significant role in helping Udinese secure a comfortable 10th-place finish in the standings and that have firmly established the 26-year-old as one of the division’s most reliable goalkeepers.

Juventus were among the first clubs to register an interest as they sought to revamp their goalkeeping options, initially pursuing Aston Villa and Argentina international Emiliano Martinez before encountering difficulties in that pursuit.

According to Italian outlet Il Messaggero Veneto via Tuttomercatoweb, the Turin giants subsequently turned their attention to Okoye, with Udinese placing a €15m valuation on the Nigeria international — a fee broadly in line with what Juventus were reportedly prepared to negotiate for the Argentine, reflecting how highly the Friuli club regard their shot-stopper.

However, it now appears that Juventus are not the only club tracking his situation. According to Eagle Media, Okoye has also emerged as a key target for Beşiktaş, who are currently assembling a formidable squad for manager Vincenzo Italiano with the aim of challenging for major honours next season.

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Having conceded 40 goals in the Turkish Süper Lig last season, strengthening the goalkeeping department is among the club’s foremost priorities this summer, and Okoye is viewed as an ideal candidate to address that need.

His ability to produce crucial saves, combined with his composure in possession and authoritative presence in the penalty area, has made him an attractive proposition for clubs seeking a commanding number one.

With two years remaining on his Udinese contract, the club are in no urgent need to sell, and their €15m asking price signals their intention to extract full value for a goalkeeper who has proven himself consistently at Serie A level.

Juventus are understood to be actively searching for a new goalkeeper and could return with a formal offer as the summer window progresses, while Beşiktaş’s entry into the race adds a further dimension to what is shaping up as one of the most competitive goalkeeper pursuits of the transfer window.