Former Super Eagles striker Yakubu Ayegbeni has claimed that he could have been worth around €150 million if he were playing in today’s football market.
Yakubu made the statement during an interview on AY Suga Channel while reflecting on his playing career, transfer fees and the pressure associated with expensive moves.
The former Premier League striker compared the transfer fees of his era with the huge sums clubs now pay for forwards, noting that players who score about 10 Premier League goals can command fees of around €50 million.
“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.
He recalled regularly scoring around 15 goals per season in the Premier League during his playing days.
“I scored every year, it’s like 15, 15 in the Premier League,” he said.
Yakubu also referenced his £11.5 million transfer from Middlesbrough to Everton, suggesting that the fee would be equivalent to about €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.
The former Nigeria international had previously joined Middlesbrough from Portsmouth for £7.5 million, a transfer that came with considerable expectations.
“It was a lot of pressure to deliver. Big pressure,” Yakubu said.
He explained that players signed for substantial fees are expected to perform at a high level and justify the club’s investment.
“When you’re bought for big amount of money, you have to deliver your best,” he added.
Yakubu enjoyed a notable Premier League career with Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, Everton and Blackburn Rovers, scoring more than 90 goals in the competition.
He also established himself as one of Nigeria’s prominent goalscorers, scoring 21 goals for the Super Eagles.
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