Former Super Eagles striker Yakubu Ayegbeni believes he could have been worth around €150 million if he were playing in today’s football market.
Yakubu made the claim during an interview on AY Suga Channel, where he spoke about his career, transfer fees and the pressure that comes with expensive moves.
He compared the transfer fees of his playing days with the huge amounts clubs now pay for forwards. According to him, players who score about 10 Premier League goals can now cost 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.
The former striker recalled scoring about 15 Premier League goals regularly during his career.
“I scored every year, it’s like 15, 15 in the Premier League,” he said.
Yakubu also pointed to his £11.5 million move from Middlesbrough to Everton, saying the fee would be worth 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.
Before joining Everton, Yakubu had moved from Portsmouth to Middlesbrough for £7.5 million, a deal that brought heavy expectations.
“It was a lot of pressure to deliver. Big pressure,” he said.
He explained that players bought for big fees are expected to perform and prove their worth.
“When you’re bought for big amount of money, you have to deliver your best,” he added.
Yakubu scored more than 90 Premier League goals for Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, Everton and Blackburn Rovers. He also scored 21 goals for Nigeria.
