Super Eagles transfer watch: Udinese ace to stay in Serie A after Watford links denied

The future of Super Eagles-eligible defender Kingsley Ehizibue is still undecided after his representatives dismissed reports linking him with moves to Watford and Dutch side PEC Zwolle, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 31-year-old officially became a free agent on June 30 after failing to reach an agreement with Italian Serie A club Udinese over a new contract. Talks between both parties broke down because they could not agree on a new salary structure, bringing his four-year stay at the club to an end.

Soon after his exit became official, different transfer reports began to circulate across Europe. Italian outlet Tuttomercatoweb claimed that Ehizibue, who is best man to Man City midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, was close to joining English Championship club Watford. The report attracted attention because Watford and Udinese are both owned by the Pozzo family, making transfers between the clubs common in recent years.

At the same time, respected transfer journalist Nicolò Schira reported that the experienced right-back was “one step away” from returning to his former Dutch club, PEC Zwolle, where he first made his name as a professional footballer.

However, Spanish journalist Pablo Marcos, who is close to the player, later revealed that Ehizibue's entourage has completely denied both stories. According to those close to the defender, there have been no negotiations or agreements with either Watford or PEC Zwolle, meaning the transfer rumours are not true.

Super Eagles: Ehizibue still wants to compete at the highest level

Instead of moving to England or returning to the Netherlands, Ehizibue is reportedly holding talks with another Serie A club as he looks to continue playing in Italy's top division.

Sources close to the player say no final decision has been made because he wants to carefully consider his next project before signing another contract. As a result, his next club may not be confirmed immediately despite becoming available on a free transfer.

Ehizibue has built a solid professional career over the past 12 years. Born in Munich, Germany, to Nigerian parents before growing up in the Netherlands, he developed through PEC Zwolle's academy and played 125 Eredivisie matches, scoring eight league goals between 2014 and 2019.

His performances earned him a €2 million move to German Bundesliga side FC Köln in 2019, where he made 69 league appearances and scored once while helping the club avoid relegation.

In 2022, Udinese signed him for around €1.5 million. During his four seasons in Italy, he featured in 88 Serie A matches and scored four league goals. In his final 2025-26 campaign, he played 32 league games, scored twice and produced one of his best displays in a Man-of-the-Match performance against Torino.

Although eligible to represent Germany, the Netherlands and Nigeria, Ehizibue is yet to make his senior international debut. He played once for the Netherlands Under-21 team in 2016 before receiving a Nigeria call-up from former Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr in March 2020 for Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Sierra Leone.

Those matches were postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, while legal issues surrounding his Dutch citizenship have delayed his international switch. Even so, the experienced full-back has continued to express his desire to represent Nigeria, leaving the door open for a future Super Eagles appearance.