Stade de Reims and Harambee Stars center-back Joseph Okumu has been urged to follow in the footsteps of his former defensive partner Emmanuel Agbadou and leave the French Ligue 1 for a move to either England or Spain this summer.Agbadou completed a move to English Premier League club Wolves last Thursday, signing a four-and-a-half-year deal with an option for an additional year.Before his £16.6 million transfer, the 27-year-old Ivorian defender had established a formidable partnership with Okumu at Reims.##NAJAVA_MECA_8624504##With top European clubs previously showing interest in Okumu, the 1.90-meter defender has been advised to consider a move to England or Spain in the upcoming transfer window.Italian giants AS Roma nearly secured Okumu’s signature last summer, while Premier League sides Arsenal and West Ham United, as well as Bundesliga outfit Borussia Dortmund, have reportedly been keeping tabs on him.Dennis Oliech, a former Kenyan international who knows the French Ligue 1 well from his time there, has urged Okumu to take the leap and move to England, where he believes the 27-year-old is ready to shine.Oliech has also challenged Okumu’s representatives to ensure he becomes the second Kenyan player to grace the English Premier League after Victor Wanyama.Kalekwa confident Sofapaka will thrive despite Matano’s exit to TanzaniaWanyama made history as the first Kenyan to play in the EPL, featuring for Southampton from 2013 to 2016 and later for Tottenham Hotspur until 2020.Oliech praised Okumu’s performances in France, Belgium, and Sweden, as well as his European experience, asserting that he is ready for a bigger challenge in a more competitive league like the Premier League or La Liga.”He’s proven himself in France, Belgium, and Sweden. It’s time for him to test himself in a bigger competition, and with the interest from English clubs, his agent must make it happen in July,” Oliech told SportsBoom.com.Despite the reported interest from Serie A clubs such as Roma and Atalanta, Oliech warned against a move to Italy.He argued that such a transfer wouldn’t be an appropriate step up, given Okumu’s talent and market value, and he expressed concerns that Okumu might struggle to adapt to Italian football culture.Nairobi City Stars name Muyoti’s successor”His style might not align with the demands of Serie A. I’ve seen many African players struggle to adapt to Italian football, not because they’re not good enough, but because they face cultural challenges off the pitch that can hinder their development,” Oliech explained.Oliech also advised Okumu to avoid the temptation of moving to Asia, where some players leave Europe for lucrative contracts.While acknowledging the financial rewards of playing in Asia, Oliech stressed that Okumu has the potential to achieve much more in Europe, both in terms of career success and earning power.”I don’t understand why players are leaving Europe for Asia at their peak. The money may be tempting, but for someone like Okumu, playing in Europe offers greater opportunities for winning trophies, making a bigger name, and earning more in the long run,” Oliech concluded.FKF president reveals when new Harambee Stars coach will be announced
