Sacha Tavoieri is reporting that Stade de Reims are interested in Gent’s Kenyan central defender Joseph Okumu. The French side offered under the €12m that Gent were asking for, yet Tavolieri is suggesting that Gent are willing to accept the slightly lower offer. Okumu is now in negotiations with the club over a contract, but there is still the need to agree on the terms. Reims are keen to offer the defender a four-year deal.
Okumu joined Gent from Swedish side Elfsborg in the summer of 2021. The 26-year-old moved from US based side Real Monarchs SLC to Elfsborg, where he made 42 appearances. Okumu has been a standout player for the Buffaloes since he joined, playing 92 games and scoring four goals.
Gent do have central defensive replacements, having been active in recruiting during the summer. They signed Tsuyoshi Watanabe from Kortrijk and Ismaël Kandouss from Union St Gilloise to bolster their central defensive department. They also brought in new central midfielder in Pieter Gerkens and Keegan Jelacic.
