Arsenal-linked centre-back Joseph Okumu admits he is ‘not disappointed’ despite seeing a potential move to Premier League outfit Leicester City collapse during the summer transfer window, speaking to Het Nieuwsblad.
A couple of months ago, Okumu’s agent admitted that his client had caught the eye of Borussia Dortmund, Celtic and an Arsenal side cruising along at the summit of English football.
What he did not mention, however, is that Leicester had identified Gent’s 25-year-old Kenya international as a potential replacement for the Chelsea-bound Wesley Fofana at the King Power Stadium.
The Foxes expressed an interest before turning their attention to the buccaneering Wout Faes instead. Not that Okumu is losing any sleep; a 6ft 4ins centre-half likened to Virgil van Dijk due to his colossal frame and terrific passing range more than content with life in Belgium.
Joseph Okumu ‘not disappointed’ after missing out on Leicester City move
“Not all the puzzle pieces fell into place and it has to be right. No problem. I still have a contract here, a salary,” explains Okumu, who was also a target for Monaco.
“Suppose I am disappointed and impress upon myself that I’m already at the level of Monaco or Leicester. Then you start to look down on the people here (at Gent). I never want that.
“Therefore I am not disappointed.”
Okumu, described as the finest centre-half in nearly 100 years of Swedish football during his time at Elfsborg, joined Gent for around £3 million last year. Now, he is valued in the region of £13 million.
“Four years ago, I was struggling. Now, (teams) offer millions for me. It’s unbelievable how much I’ve grown. And how time flies,” Okumu adds.
“I understand that Gent has a big goal: to challenge for the title. I also find that more interesting than earning three times as much elsewhere.”
A first Jupiler League title since 2015 will have to wait, however, Gent sitting 13 points adrift of current league leaders Royal Antwerp.
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