![\"Soccer](\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/thumbor\/zN2uArU4nwKX6GJOSv-X4EORFPc=\/750x500\/smart\/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.soccernet.ng%2Fmain%2F2026%2F02%2Fimago1071870264.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Super Eagles forward Philip Otele. Copyright: xValentinxDomgjonixImago<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Super Eagles forward Philip Otele could be on the verge of sealing a move to Serie\u00a0A, with\u00a0Lecce closing in on an agreement with Swiss side Basel,\u00a0Soccernet.ng<\/u><\/a>\u00a0reports.<\/strong><\/p>\n The 27-year-old only joined Basel last summer from UAE Pro League club Al Wahda after previous spells in Romania and Lithuania. However, his stay in Switzerland was short-lived as he was\u00a0sent on loan to newly promoted Bundesliga side Hamburg during the second half of the season.<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n Otele’s future has remained uncertain since returning from Germany. Although Hamburg had the option to sign him permanently for\u00a0\u20ac4.5 million, they decided against activating the clause despite his impressive contribution.<\/p>\n During his loan spell, Otele made nine Bundesliga appearances and etched his name into the club’s history by becoming\u00a0the first Nigerian to score for\u00a0<\/u>the club\u00a0<\/u>in the Bundesliga.<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n Since returning to Basel, Otele has featured in the club’s opening two matches of the 2026-27 Swiss Super League campaign. However, speculation over his future has continued, with a move away from the club looking increasingly likely.<\/p>\n According to\u00a0reports from\u00a0Nicolo Schira<\/u><\/a>, Lecce are very close to reaching an agreement with Basel for the signing of the Super Eagles winger, with the\u00a0Serie A club are keen to complete the deal before the start of the new season.<\/p>\n Lecce are looking to strengthen their squad after narrowly avoiding relegation last season. They finished 17th in Serie A and scored just 28 league goals \u2013 the third-lowest tally in the division.<\/p>\n Strengthening\u00a0their attacking options has become a priority this summer, and Otele has emerged as one of their main targets as they look to become more competitive ahead of the new campaign.<\/p>\n Basel are open to selling the\u00a0Super Eagles forward\u00a0permanently. Having already allowed him to spend the second half of last season on loan, the Swiss champions no longer consider him a key part of their long-term plans and are prepared to sanction a transfer rather than another temporary move.<\/p>\n Lecce, meanwhile, are eager to wrap up negotiations as quickly as possible so Otele can join the squad\u00a0and settle into his new environment before the Serie A campaign begins.<\/p>\n Basel are\u00a0reportedly\u00a0value the winger at around\u00a0\u20ac7\u00a0million\u00a0and if\u00a0the transfer is completed for that fee, Otele would become one of the most expensive signings in Lecce’s history.<\/p>\n A move would also see the\u00a027-year-old\u00a0join the growing list of Nigerian players heading to Serie A this summer, following\u00a0in the footsteps of\u00a0Akor Adams<\/u><\/a>, who also completed a move\u00a0to Venezia.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n![\"Soccer](\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/thumbor\/B1zethCcSkm7mc6QsZatFxeEWY4=\/4210x2807\/smart\/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.soccernet.ng%2Fmain%2F2026%2F04%2Fimago1075529531.jpg\")
Soccer Philip Otele: Lecce close in on transfer agreement\u00a0for Super Eagles forward<\/h2>\n
![\"Soccer](\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/thumbor\/m72K45eITvQZKqqxI7zWhYo5qSM=\/3972x2648\/smart\/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.soccernet.ng%2Fmain%2F2026%2F02%2Fimago1071730583.jpg\")
![\"Soccer](\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/thumbor\/A8lum6cWxduszs9iepPqIUoMiSQ=\/4000x2668\/smart\/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.soccernet.ng%2Fmain%2F2026%2F03%2Fimago1074285592-1.jpg\")
Ayomide Oguntimehin” src=”https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/thumbor\/ycGEJDr9VZlpO_5zujn3ZdvICxA=\/150×150\/smart\/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.soccernet.ng%2Fmain%2F2024%2F12%2FAyomide-Oguntimehin-pics.jpg” height=”80″ width=”80″>\t\t<\/p>\n