Yakubu Ayegbeni believes the transfer market would have placed a vastly different price tag on his career if he were playing in the Premier League today.
The former Nigeria striker has suggested that his £11.5 million move from Middlesbrough to Everton could be equivalent to around €150 million in the current market, pointing to the enormous increase in transfer fees for attacking players.
Yakubu made the claim during an interview on AY Suga Channel, where he reflected on his career and compared the financial expectations placed on players during his era with those of modern football.
His argument was based largely on his goal-scoring record. Yakubu regularly scored around 15 Premier League goals per season, a tally he believes would attract a significant valuation in today’s market.
“I scored every year, it’s like 15, 15 in the Premier League,” he said.
The former striker contrasted those numbers with the fees currently commanded by forwards who score considerably fewer 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.
That comparison led him back to his own transfer history. Everton paid £11.5 million to sign him from Middlesbrough, a substantial fee at the time. Yakubu now believes the same level of production and market demand would have made the transfer worth many times more.
“And then from Borough to Everton was like £11.5 million, and that £11.5 million is like €150 million,” he explained.
But Yakubu’s recollection was not only about money. He also highlighted the burden that comes with being an expensive signing.
Before joining Everton, the Nigerian had moved to Middlesbrough from Portsmouth for £7.5 million. The size of that investment created an expectation that he would immediately justify the club’s decision.
“It was a lot of pressure to deliver. Big pressure,” he recalled.
For Yakubu, the financial value attached to a player inevitably creates pressure to perform.
“When you’re bought for big amount of money, you have to deliver your best,” he said.
The striker ultimately built a strong Premier League reputation, scoring more than 90 goals across spells with Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, Everton and Blackburn Rovers. He also scored 21 times for Nigeria.
