Nigeria Players Abroad
Philip Otele closing in on Lecce move from FC Basel
Super Eagles winger Philip Otele is nearing a move to Serie A club Lecce, with talks between the Italian side and FC Basel expected to take place this week, according to Completesports.com.
The 26-year-old Nigeria international is under contract with the Swiss Super League champions until June 2028, but negotiations are understood to be progressing towards a transfer to Italy.
Lecce and FC Basel are expected to hold direct discussions to finalise the deal, with Basel reportedly seeking a fee of about €3m for Otele. That figure would match the amount the Swiss club paid UAE Pro League side Al Wahda to sign him in 2025.
Otele spent the 2025 season on loan at Bundesliga club Hamburger SV. He made nine league appearances for the German side and scored once.
Hamburger SV had the option to make the move permanent, but chose not to activate the purchase clause in his loan agreement. The clause was reportedly valued at between €4.5m and €5m.
With that option no longer being pursued by Hamburger SV, Otele now appears increasingly likely to leave FC Basel for Lecce. The expected talks this week could bring the transfer closer to completion, although the deal has not yet been finalised.
The winger joined FC Basel from Al Wahda in 2025 for a reported €3m, and the Swiss club are looking to recover the same amount from his proposed move to Lecce.
Otele has made five appearances for the Nigeria national team. His international experience has contributed to his profile as he considers a move to Serie A following his season in the Bundesliga.
The proposed transfer would see him move from the Swiss Super League champions to Lecce, who are preparing to complete negotiations with FC Basel. Otele’s current agreement with Basel runs until June 2028, but the progress of discussions with Lecce means his future could be settled before the start of the next stage of his career.
No final agreement has yet been announced, but the reported expectation is that Lecce and FC Basel will speak directly this week in an attempt to conclude the transfer.
By Adeboye Amosu
