Italian-Nigerian star Caleb Okoli is generating interest from both Serie A club AC Monza and Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro. The 22-year-old centre-back, who has represented Italy at the U19 and U21 levels, is also eligible to play for Nigeria but has yet to earn a senior cap for the Italian national team.
Okoli played 17 league games for Atalanta last season and is set to be loaned out again for the upcoming season with negotiations progressing positively between Atalanta and Monza. The two clubs have a strong relationship, which could facilitate the potential loan deal for Okoli as he seeks further development opportunities in his career.
While Okoli has played for the Italian youth team, he could be convinced to switch allegiances to Nigeria, especially with the influence of Ademola Lookman, who also plays in Italy with Atalanta. Peseiro has expressed his admiration for Okoli, considering him as a potential addition to the Super Eagles squad as they prepare for the AFCON tournament in 2023.
Okoli’s talent and versatility make him a valuable addition to any team, and it will be interesting to see where he ends up playing next season. As negotiations between Atalanta and Monza continue, Okoli’s future seems to be heading towards a loan deal with Monza. However, with interest from Peseiro and the Super Eagles, it’s possible that Okoli could soon be joining the Nigerian national team.
