Gaining promotion to the elite division is one rigorous venture for teams in the lower divisions in European leagues, but staying in the elite division is harder. Statistics have shown that two out of every three promoted teams to Europe top flights have the tendency to return to the lower division. To forestall being in this cycle, Serie A new boy, Cagliari, are seeking the services of David Okereke in the club’s quest to sustain Italy’s top tier status
Former Chelsea and Leicester City boss, Claudio Ranieri, has set his sights on Super Eagles and Cremonese’s forward, David Okereke as he looks to bolster his attacking options for newly promoted Serie A side Cagliari.
The Sardinians have joined the big boys in the Italian top flight and are looking to retain that status come the end of the campaign.
Ranieri guided Cagliari to promotion after his team clinched a 2-1 victory over Bari in the Serie B playoffs, and now he faces the challenge of keeping the team in Italy’s top flight.
Cagliari’s attack was decent in Serie B last term, managing 50 goals in 38 matches, but Serie A is a different ball game, highlighting the need for reinforcements.
As Ranieri prepares for the upcoming season, he aims to strengthen his squad with functional additions, and Okereke has emerged as a top target, as per reports.
Negotiations between Cagliari and Cremonese during the summer transfer market could pave the way for a potential deal.
However, Cagliari may face tough competition from Turkish giants, Besiktas, who are also keen on securing the services of the Nigerian forward.
Reports suggest that Besiktas have already submitted a bid of €4 million, although Cremonese rejected the offer.
Nevertheless, Besiktas are expected to make another attempt to sign Okereke. English side, Burnley are also monitoring the player’s situation.
However, Ranieri is hopeful that Okereke will be interested in remaining in Italy, especially considering the player only arrived on a permanent deal from Club Brugge in Belgium last summer.
The renowned coach’s reputation and track record could also be a decisive factor in convincing Okereke to join Cagliari.
Ranieri has enjoyed tremendous success throughout his coaching career, having won titles with Cagliari, Fiorentina, Valencia, Monaco, and Leicester City.
Ranieri’s most notable achievement came in 2016 when he led Leicester City to a stunning Premier League title victory against all odds.
That remarkable feat earned him several prestigious awards, including The Best FIFA Men’s Coach, European Coach of the Season, World Soccer Magazine World Manager of the Year, and induction into the Italian Football Hall of Fame.
Despite his team, Cremonese, facing relegation, Okereke has reason to be pleased with his individual performance this season in Serie A.
The 25-year-old showcased his prowess by netting an impressive nine goals, with seven coming in the top-flight league.
Additionally, he contributed three assists in a total of 38 appearances across all competitions. However, his efforts were not enough to save Cremonese from the drop to Serie B.
This marks the second consecutive season in which Okereke has recorded seven goals in Serie A.
During the 2021/2022 season, while on loan at Venezia, the former Club Brugge attacker left a lasting impact with a stunning strike that helped his team secure a memorable 3-2 victory over AS Roma under the management of Jose Mourinho.
With his consistent goal-scoring abilities in the top flight, it comes as no surprise that Okereke is being linked with a move away from relegated Cremonese.
However, his former coach at Lavagnese, Andrea Dagnino, dismissed rumours of Genoa’s interest in signing the Nigerian forward but confirmed Bologna’s pursuit of him.
“In recent weeks, there were rumors linking him to Genoa, and as a Rossoblu fan, I immediately reached out to him for confirmation. However, he informed me that there was no truth to those rumors,” Dagnino told Sportitalia.
“It’s a shame because I once took him to Marassi to see Genoa when we were at Lavagnese. Nevertheless, I wish him the best and hope he joins a more competitive team, preferably from the top 10. In that regard, Bologna, who I’ve heard are interested, could be the right fit.”
Currently valued at €4 million, according to Transfermarkt, Okereke has established himself as a highly sought-after talent in the transfer market.
The former Nigerian youth international was a menace for opposition defences in Serie A last term, but it appears he has huge admirers in Turkey as well
Beikta have faced disappointment in their pursuit of Okereke, as Cremonese rejected their bid of N3.55 billion, Soccernet.ng reports.
Turkish giants Beikta have been actively working on strengthening their offensive line and had set sights on the 25-year-old Nigerian striker from Cremonese.
Before entering negotiations with Cremonese, Beikta had already reached an agreement with Okereke, securing his consent for an annual salary of €1.5 million.
However, the official offer of €4 million (approx. N3.55 billion) made by Beikta for Okereke was rejected by Cremonese, according to reports from the Italian press cited by Turkey’s Sporx.
It is believed that Cremonese are holding out for a higher offer, I’m the region of about €6 million. This is the amount Cremonese paid Club Brugge last summer to sign Okereke.
Unfortunately, Okereke’s addition to Cremonese’s attack did not help the club avoid relegation from Serie A at the end of the last season.
Undeterred by the initial setback, Beikta are expected to arrange another meeting with Cremonese soon in a bid to secure the talented Nigerian striker.
Meanwhile, English side Burnley are also reportedly interested in Okereke, adding to the competition for his signature.
Okereke displayed impressive form in the just-concluded campaign, scoring nine goals and providing three assists in 38 appearances. Throughout his career, the 25-year-old forward has amassed 55 goals and numerous assists in 240 matches.
