Tuttomercatoweb reports the Turkish club have added the Super Eagles goalkeeper to their transfer targets, and Eric Chelle left him out of the squad for AFCON qualifiers.
Turkish Super Lig club Beşiktaş have reportedly revived their interest in Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye. According to Italian outlet Tuttomercatoweb, the club have added the Nigeria international to their list of transfer targets, and Okoye is reportedly open to a move to the Turkish Super Lig.
The 27-year-old has come under heavy criticism for a difficult season in Serie A. He has conceded 25 goals in 10 league appearances for bottom-placed Udinese, but that has not stopped the Turkish club from looking at him.
Beşiktaş are looking for a dependable shot-stopper who can offer greater rivalry to Alexander Nübel, who currently starts in goal for them. Okoye has a market value of €10m.
Okoye's place in the Nigeria squad is also uncertain. Coach Eric Chelle left him out of the squad for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Tanzania, picking Stanley Nwabali, Francis Uzoho and Arthur Okonkwo instead. The omission followed a late arrival at the Super Eagles camp in September. Punch notes that, of everyone called up for the Uyo match against Madagascar, Okoye reported last.
Chelle said at his pre-match press conference that he had not closed the door on Okoye. "The national team is not closed to him or them," the coach said. He added: "We need to have a good position in the group. How do we feel within that group?"
Chelle explained what shaped his choice:
"When I made my choice, it was based on what happened on the pitch and around it."
It appeared Okoye was winning back his place in contention following standout showings versus Poland and Portugal, both in June 2025. He made his debut against Brazil in October 2019 and has made 21 appearances for Nigeria since.
According to Punch, a move to Beşiktaş could offer Okoye an opportunity to rebuild his form, removed from the strain he currently faces in Italy, should the Turkish club opt to make its interest formal.
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