As the January transfer window opens, Uganda Premier League champions, Vipers SC, find themselves at a critical juncture in their battle to retain their star midfielder, Allan Okello.
With just six months remaining on his contract, the club is facing a tough challenge in keeping one of their best players amidst growing interest from international suitors.
A Contract Countdown: Vipers at Risk of Losing Okello for Free
Okello, who has been a key figure for the Venoms since his arrival, is now in the final stages of his three-year contract with the club.
With his deal expiring at the end of the 2025/26 season, Vipers are in a vulnerable position.
The club’s ideal scenario would be to extend his contract and keep him for the long term.
However, reliable sources suggest that the decision is largely out of their hands, with Okello’s representatives taking the reins in negotiating his future.
When Okello’s contract still had several years to run, Vipers didn’t cash in on the player.
Now, with just six months left, the club finds itself with limited options and little room to influence the situation.
Vipers’ only chance of earning a transfer fee is by selling Okello during this window, which is their best chance of securing a financial return before his contract expires.
Transfer Talks Heat Up: January or Summer Departure?
Sources close to Okello’s camp suggest that his representatives are weighing several options for the player’s future.
While a move in the January transfer window is on the table, there is also the possibility that the player could wait until the summer, when he would be free to negotiate a move with any interested club without the need for Vipers to sanction a transfer.
Should Okello leave in January, Vipers would be able to pocket a transfer fee, although the amount may not be as high as it could have been if they had sold him earlier in his contract.
If no deal is reached this month, the Kitende-based club will likely have to ride out the remainder of the 2025/26 season with Okello in their ranks, though this would only delay the inevitable.
A Summer Exit Appears Inevitable
At this point, the most realistic outcome seems to be a departure for Okello at the end of the 2025/26 season.
The 25-year-old midfielder is believed to have set his sights on a return abroad. Given his talent and proven track record, Okello is likely to attract attention from a host of clubs abroad, with his contract expiring in the summer presenting a prime opportunity for a move.
If the January transfer window does not see a deal materialize, Vipers will have to prepare for the possibility of losing their star player for nothing in just a few months.
Although the club could still try to persuade Okello to extend his stay at the club, that prospect seems increasingly unlikely, given the player’s aspirations and the current state of negotiations.
A Key Crossroads for Vipers
For Vipers, this situation highlights a broader issue that many Ugandan clubs face: the risks of letting a key player’s contract run down without securing a transfer fee.
Had they moved to sell Okello when he still had more time left on his contract, the club might have been able to secure a more substantial fee.
Instead, they are now left with few options as the clock ticks down on the final months of his deal.
As the transfer window unfolds, all eyes will be on Okello’s next move. Will he leave in January, allowing Vipers to pocket a fee? Or will he see out the season and depart on a free transfer in the summer?
One thing is certain, Vipers’ attempts to retain Okello or cash in on his departure will have significant implications for their plans going forward.
