)
Harambee Stars defender Joseph Okumu, who joined for 10 million pounds from Gent in 2023, is among the four players likely to leave Reims after they were relegated from Ligue 1.
With Stade de Reims officially relegated to Ligue 2 following their playoff defeat to Metz three weeks ago, the French club now faces the inevitable departure of several key players — chief among them Kenyan international Joseph Okumu.
The 27-year-old defender joined Reims from Belgian side KAA Gent in July 2023 for a reported €10 million fee. However, a season disrupted by injuries limited him.
Even so, Okumu made a total of 28 appearances for Stade de Reims during the 2024–25 season, playing 22 Ligue 1 games, 4 Coupe de France matches, and 2 relegation playoff outings, amounting to 2,198 minutes on the pitch.
PAY ATTENTION: Stay updated with the Latest Sports News in Kenya from Pulse Sports
)
20:30 - 21.06.2025
Costly Own Goal Shatters Harambee Starlets CECAFA Title Dreams in Final Against Tanzania
A narrow loss in the final saw Harambee Starlets miss out on the CECAFA title in dramatic fashion.
Despite those struggles, Okumu remains one of the more valuable assets in the Reims squad, currently valued at €9 million by Transfermarkt.
PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Google News, Stay informed with Latest Sport News
Reims Looking to Generate €39 million From Player Sales
)
Reims’ drop to the second tier not only triggers the need for financial recalibration but also opens the door for clubs to poach talent at a discounted price.
Okumu is among the top names expected to exit the Auguste-Delaune Stadium this summer, and interest is reportedly growing from across Europe.
In 2024, Okumu was linked with a move to Italy as reported by Pulse Sports, who cited the original source, Tuttomercatoweb, who claimed Serie A giants AS Roma were in advanced talks with the player's representatives.
The Giallorossi are believed to have communicated formal interest, and a fee in the region of €15 million was discussed — a figure that would see Reims recoup and slightly profit from their original investment.
Okumu, who has made 23 appearances for the Kenyan national team since his debut in 2016, previously impressed in Belgium and Sweden before making the move to France.
)
19:30 - 21.06.2025
Millions Awaiting Kenya Police After FKF Premier League Win
Kenya Police are looking forward to more cash incentives following their surprise run to the FKF Premier League title win.
His rise from humble beginnings at Chemelil Sugar and Kakamega High School in Kenya to the top tiers of European football has made him a standout figure in African football.
In a March 2025 interview with The Athletic, Okumu hinted at his ambitions to compete at the highest level:
“As a kid, you dream to play at the highest level, win the trophies, be on the best teams,” he said.
“These are the things that my agent is on. My dad is on. It is not something that they occupy me with because the season is still going.”
That season has now ended — and so has Reims’ stay in Ligue 1. For Okumu, a move to a club like Roma represents not just a step up, but a chance to finally fulfill the aspirations he articulated earlier in the year.
While no official agreement has been announced yet, the coming weeks could be decisive in determining the next chapter of his European journey.
Yehvann Diouf, Keito Nakamura and Valentin Aangana Also Attracting Interest
)
Alongside Joseph Okumu, three other key Stade de Reims players are widely expected to leave following the club’s relegation to Ligue 2.
Goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf, who attracted interest from Union Saint-Gilloise last winter, is likely to depart despite a mixed season, having conceded 40 goals in 26 Ligue 1 matches.
)
15:03 - 19.06.2025
7 African Footballers Who Deserve Ballon d'Or 2025 Recognition
Pulse Sports highlights the African players who deserve to make the 2025 Ballon d’Or shortlist after an impressive 2024-25 campaign.
Promising 19-year-old midfielder Valentin Atangana, who has impressed with consistent starts, could also be sold for profit despite signing a contract extension in December 2024.
Meanwhile, Japanese winger Keito Nakamura is the squad’s most valuable asset and was previously linked with Marseille and Roma, making his exit almost certain as bigger clubs circle.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)