Former Super Eagles striker Yakubu Ayegbeni has claimed that he could have been worth around €150 million if he were playing football in the current era.
Yakubu made the statement during a recent interview while reflecting on his playing career, transfer fees and the pressure that came with being signed for big money.
The former Premier League striker compared the transfer fees of his era with the current market, noting that players who score around 10 goals in the Premier League can now command fees of about €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 pointed out that he regularly scored around 15 goals per season in the Premier League, adding that his performances would likely have attracted a much higher valuation in today’s transfer market.
“I scored every year, it’s like 15, 15 in the Premier League,” he said.
Yakubu also recalled his £11.5 million transfer from Middlesbrough to Everton, suggesting that the fee would be equivalent to around €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 striker further spoke about the pressure that came with being signed for significant transfer fees, recalling his £7.5 million move from Portsmouth to Middlesbrough.
“It was a lot of pressure to deliver. Big pressure,” Yakubu said. “From Portsmouth to Borough was like £7.5 million, was massive.”
He explained that players who are bought for large sums are expected to justify the investment by performing at their best.
“When you’re bought for big amount of money, you have to deliver your best,” he added.
Yakubu ultimately maintained that, considering his goalscoring record and the huge transfer fees commanded by players today, he could have been valued at around €150 million during his prime.
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