Former Super Eagles striker Yakubu Ayegbeni has claimed he could have been worth around €150 million if he were playing in today’s football market.
Speaking on the AY Suga Channel, Yakubu reflected on how transfer fees have risen dramatically since his playing days. He pointed to the huge sums now being paid for forwards who score relatively modest numbers of Premier League goals. “You see players now, I’m sorry to say, you score 10 goals, it’s €50 million. Ten goals in the Premier League is €50 million,” Yakubu said.
The former Premier League striker recalled that he regularly scored around 15 league goals per season during his career. Yakubu particularly referenced his £11.5 million move from Middlesbrough to Everton, suggesting that the transfer would be worth roughly €150 million in today’s market.
“And then from Borough to Everton was like £11.5 million, and that £11.5 million is like €150 million,” he explained. He also recalled the pressure that came with being signed for a significant fee, having previously joined Middlesbrough from Portsmouth for £7.5 million.
“It was a lot of pressure to deliver. Big pressure,” Yakubu said, explaining that players acquired for substantial fees are expected to perform at a high level and justify their clubs’ investment. When you’re bought for big amount of money, you have to deliver your best,” he added.
Yakubu enjoyed an impressive Premier League career with Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, Everton and Blackburn Rovers, scoring more than 90 goals in the competition. He was also a key goalscorer for Nigeria, finding the net 21 times for the Super Eagles.