By Korede James
English Premier League club Bournemouth have been linked with a summer transfer move for Super Eagles and Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye.
The Cherries Sporting Director Tiago Pinto has previous experience in Serie A with Roma and has in the past looked towards Italy in search of potential transfers.
Most notably, he has signed Dean Huijsen from Juventus for Bournemouth and is now looking at a goalkeeper from the Italian top flight.
Currently, Bournemouth have Kepa Arrizabalaga on loan from Chelsea but with his future still not certain, Pinto has been looking for alternatives.
Now according to SportItalia.it (via Get Football News Itaiy), Okoye is the keeper who has been scouted by the Premier League club.
The report stated that negotiations over a potential deal have not started but there is concrete interest.
Okoye, who had a spell in England with Watford, recently returned to action for Udinese after recovering from a wrist injury he suffered in December.
Since his return in March, the 25-year-old has featured in two Serie A games which ended in a draw and a defeat for Udinese.
He was named in the Super Eagles’ 39-man provisional squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
However, he was not included when the final 23-man squad was announced.
He was in goal in November 2024 when the Super Eagles lost 2-1 to Rwanda in Uyo in their final match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
