Related Post
Caleb Okoli could be on the move again, but a return to Serie A may have consequences beyond his club career, Footynaija reports.
According to Sport Mediaset, Sassuolo have made an enquiry about the Leicester City defender as they consider bringing the 25-year-old back to Italy. Leicester are understood to value Okoli at about €8m (£6.9m), while his contract with the English club runs until June 2029.
The proposed move comes at an important time for Okoli. Leicester’s successive relegations have taken them down to League One, and his agent Alessandro Barison has made it clear that the defender wants to play at a higher level.
Okoli has also attracted interest from Championship clubs and other Italian teams, including Torino and Monza. He has already shown he can perform in Italy’s top flight, making 51 Serie A appearances for Atalanta and Frosinone.
His possible return could also catch the attention of Super Eagles manager Eric Chelle.
Nigeria need to plan for the future in central defence, and Okoli offers the physical strength and aggressive defending that could suit Chelle’s system. His previous Serie A experience gives him an advantage over a player trying to make the step up for the first time.
There is, however, one major issue: Okoli’s international choice. The defender has represented Italy from Under-19 to Under-21 level and has been called up to the senior Azzurri squad without making his debut. That means he remains eligible to play for Nigeria through his Nigerian parents. Okoli previously made it clear that Italy is his first choice but he is now more open to playing for Nigeria’s Super Eagles.
A move to Sassuolo would give him another chance to prove himself in Serie A and revive his hopes of playing for Italy. But if that opportunity does not lead to a senior debut, Nigeria could become a much more realistic option.
