David Okereke’s former sporting director explains English motive behind player’s Belgian transfer

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Southampton were heavily linked with a move for David Okereke this summer. It was reported by The Sun that the Saints were considering a £15 million for the then Spezia striker after an impressive season in Italian football. 

However, he was reportedly seen as an alternative to Che Adams, as negotiations with Birmingham City became tricky. Once that deal was finalised, it seemed Okereke was no longer on Southampton’s radar. 

That said, he is bound to remain on the club’s watch-list going forward, especially as he made a step up this summer by heading to Club Brugge. As reported by Football Italia, the striker cost the Belgian side £7.2 million this summer, as a replacement for Aston Villa newbie Wesley Moraes. 

Now, his former sporting director at Spezia Guido Angelozzi has informed Sport/Voetbalmagazine in Belgium that Okereke chose a move to Brugge to one day facilitate a big-money move to English football.

“Very simple (why Okereke rejected Italian moves). David definitely wanted to go abroad. He thought he would get to England more easily from Bruges. We didn’t care, the sum remained the same.

“David is a player who Brugge will soon be able to sell to a club from the Premier League. I think they can get 25 to 30 million (Euros) from an English club in a few years. David is a modern complete striker, strong with the head, very fast, a good finish too.”

TBR’s View

Southampton’s policy regarding transfers centres around young talents with big resale value. Okereke, at just 21-years-old, is still in that target zone. 

He has also started the new season with a bang. Okereke has scored four goals in his first five games at his new club so Southampton will be impressed by how he is adapting to life in Belgian football. 

If he can continue to perform to such a high standard going forward, then perhaps Southampton will revisit their interest in his services next summer.