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The Belgian side have heightened speculation that the Kenyan international may be on his way out of the club with their latest decision
Belgian side KAA Gent has heightened speculation that Kenyan defender Joseph Okumu is on his way out of the club after leaving him out of the squad for their 2-2 friendly match against South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns on Friday.
Okumu is reportedly close to joining French side Stade de Reims following reports in Belgium and France on Friday with the Ligue 1 club reported to have reached an agreement with Gent over the transfer.
While Gent have not spoken over the matter, it was a surprise when Okumu, one of their dependable players, was missing from the team as they faced off with Sundowns in the clash that ended 2-2 at the Chillax Arena in Oostakker.
Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri first broke the news of Okumu’s imminent departure on Friday, saying Reims have tabled a fee just below €12 million to his club Gent which the Belgian Pro League side have reportedly accepted and are waiting for a greenlight from the player’s side.
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14:00 - 21.07.2023
STARS ABROAD French side closing in on Harambee Stars defender Joseph Okumu
The Kenyan centre-back could be playing in Ligue 1 next season is the latest proposal gets the greenlight
Respected French outlet L’Equipe later confirmed the reports, further strengthening belief among fans that the Harambee Stars defender is indeed close to leaving Belgium.
“Reims may have found the central defender they were looking for to put Yunis Abdelhamid and Emmanuel Agbadou in competition. After the failure to get Adamo Nagalo (Nordsjaelland, Denmark), the Marnais club tracked Joseph Okumu,” L’Equipe reported on Friday.
“An agreement has been reached in recent days with La Gantoise, for an amount slightly less than €12 million. It remains in Reims to find common ground with the 26-year-old Kenyan international (1.93m), around a four-year deal.
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11:36 - 04.07.2023
TRANSFERS Joseph Okumu eyes Gent departure as impressive performances ignite transfer interest
Gent's towering center-back Joseph Okumu seeks new challenge amid growing interest.
“Other clubs are also very interested in the former player of Elfsborg, who played 45 matches in all competitions last season with the Belgian club.”
Okumu has been the subject of interest from a number of European sides due to his sterling performances for Gent in the last two seasons and was thrust to the rest of the world last season as the Belgian side reached the Europa Conference League quarter-final.
The latest development comes just over a week after Okumu was named one of Gent’s vice captains, the 26-year-old assuming a pivotal leadership role within the team, further solidifying his reputation as a promising talent.
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16:52 - 14.07.2023
STARS ABROAD Harambee Stars defender Joseph Okumu takes charge as vice captain at Gent
The Kenyan defender's leadership and exceptional skills earn him a prominent role at Belgian side.
The former Chemelil Sugar defender joined Gent on a four-year deal in June 2021 for €3.5 million after two years at Swedish outfit IF Elfsborg.
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