Transfer: Cagliari eye Nigerian duo Okereke and Dessers as winter transfer targets

Cagliari manager Davide Nicola has identified Nigerian forward David Okereke as a key target to bolster his attacking options as the Sardinian club looks to climb the Serie A table, Soccernet.football reports.

According to Corriere dello Sport as per Cagliari News24, Okereke, who is currently on loan at Turkish side Gaziantep FK from Italian outfit Cremonese, is high on Nicola’s wish list.

Cagliari are keen to enhance their attacking firepower during the January transfer window, with Nicola seeking a versatile striker who can play both as a central forward and a supporting attacker.

The 27-year-old Okereke fits the profile perfectly. With six goals and two assists in just 13 league appearances for Gaziantep FK, including a decisive strike in their recent win over Adana Demirspor, the Nigerian has been instrumental in helping the Turkish side climb to eighth in the league standings.

Gaziantep FK hold an option to sign Okereke permanently at the end of the season and are reportedly impressed with his contributions since his arrival last summer. However, Cagliari are hopeful of convincing both Gaziantep and Cremonese to part ways with the forward.

The Sardinians’ pursuit of Okereke hinges on their efforts to secure Cyriel Dessers, another Nigerian striker, who currently plays for Rangers. Dessers, 30, has found himself out of favour at the Scottish club and is open to a move.

Speaking to Voetbal International, Dessers said:

“I’m at a big club, but I’m 30 and I want to play every week. Preferably at Rangers. If there are different feelings about it internally, then we need to talk. Last month I lost my starting place… I can imagine Rangers might want to make some money from me now. But January is a difficult window.”

Cagliari’s sporting director Nereo Bonato faces a tough decision as he evaluates which striker would be the ideal fit for Nicola’s system.

Okereke’s familiarity with Serie A, having previously played for Cremonese and Torino, makes him an attractive option.

With Cagliari languishing near the relegation zone, the arrival of a clinical and versatile striker could be pivotal in transforming their season.