Philip Otele is closing in on a move to Serie A, with Lecce now in direct talks with FC Basel over a deal for the Super Eagles forward after the Italian club made significant progress in their pursuit, Footynaija.com reports.
Otele has emerged as one of Lecce’s attacking targets ahead of the new Serie A season. The 27-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at Hamburg, where he made his mark in the Bundesliga before returning to Basel this summer.
His time in Germany gave his career an interesting turn. Otele joined Hamburg on loan from Basel in February and scored against Borussia Dortmund in March to become the first Nigerian to score for the club in the Bundesliga. He finished his spell with nine league appearances.
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Hamburg had the option to sign him permanently, but the German club decided against making the move permanent. Otele therefore returned to Basel and started the new season with the Swiss champions.
That has not stopped the interest in his services.
According to Nicolo Schira, Lecce are “one step away” from reaching an agreement with Basel for the Nigerian. Direct talks between the two clubs are expected this week as they look to settle the remaining details.
Lecce have reason to strengthen their attack. They scored only 28 goals in Serie A last season and finished 17th, narrowly avoiding relegation. Otele would give them another option on the wing after showing that he can create chances and score goals from wide areas.
Basel also know what Otele can offer. The Nigerian joined the Swiss club from Al Wahda in January 2025 and quickly made an impression. He scored nine goals and provided five assists in 21 appearances during his first half-season, helping Basel win the domestic double. The club then made his move permanent and gave him a contract until 2028.
A permanent departure now appears possible.
Reports put Basel’s asking price at around €7 million. If the two clubs reach an agreement around that figure, Otele would have another opportunity to test himself in one of Europe’s biggest leagues.
