Top five Nigerian transfer sagas in Europe
Victor Osimhen
After deciding his exit from Napoli before the end of last season, Osimhen’s next destination was expected to be sealed before the end of the transfer window on August 31, but it turned out to be another deal that sparked huge reactions from Nigeria and across the world.
What looked like a simple business of paying the player’s €130 million release clause didn’t go down, and the reigning African Payer of the Year had to be rescued from being frozen out of Napoli’s first team by a loan move to Turkish giants Galatasaray.
Osimhen completed the switch on Tuesday as Napoli and Galatasaray agreed on a one-year loan without an option to buy, as well as a clause for the sale of the player in January 2025, with his release clause now set at €75m.
Initially, the EPL was the 25-year-old’s preferred destination, but he couldn’t compromise his wage demands, as Chelsea offered him just €4m per year plus €4m, which is attached to performance, compared to his €12m annual income at Napoli.
While that went on, Napoli agreed €70m plus €10m in bonuses with Al-Ahli, with the player receiving €40m per-season wages and, crucially, also an affordable release clause for a return to Europe in the near future, but the Partenopei asked for an extra €5m, which irritated the Saudis.
Before the loan move was sealed, Napoli’s new coach, Antonio Conte, had insisted Osimhen wouldn’t be reintegrated into the squad, while the club would keep paying €220,000 per week for an unwanted player.
Mikel Obi
In the summer of 2006, former Super Eagles captain, Mikel Obi, turned heads home and abroad after shockingly joining Chelsea after he had signed for Manchester United in 2005—before he turned 18—and was even seen wearing the club shirt in a press conference, sitting beside Sir Alex Ferguson.
Meanwhile, Chelsea sent him to Norwegian club Lyn as they eyed a future deal and were quick to act when their Premier League rivals announced the move.
On June 2, 2006, Mikel’s registration was to be transferred from Lyn to Chelsea, and Manchester United agreed to terminate their option agreement with him. As a result of this settlement, all claims in the matter were withdrawn, and Chelsea were granted a work permit for Mikel after they completed the £16m signing in June 2006.
Mikel went on to make 372 appearances for Chelsea across all competitions, scoring six goals from midfield. He won two Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups, the Champions League, and the Europa League during his glittering spell.
Osaze Odemwingie
Former Super Eagles winger Odemwingie changed the landscape of the transfer window in 2013 with his infamous and failed attempt to move to Queens Park Rangers from West Bromwich Albion.
After consistently finding himself on the bench at the Hawthorns and under the shadow of free-scoring Romelu Lukaku, Odemwingie’s future at West Bromwich Albion looked bleak, and that frustration took him to Twitter (now X) to complain. His social media campaign didn’t go down well. Risking being fined two weeks’ wages, the Nigerian began to ostracise himself, making the prospect of reigniting his Baggies’ career less likely. On January 31, 2013, he was seen on Sky Sports News during the final day of the transfer window parked outside of Loftus Road in an attempt to sign for Queens Park Rangers, but he was refused entry as no offer was accepted for him. Talks fell through, and no agreement was reached.
Emmanuel Amuneke
After the 1994 World Cup, Amuneke, who was still under contract with Zamalek Cairo at the time, signed a contract with MSV Duisburg and was introduced to the public. However, Amuneke did not appear in Duisburg at the start of training. Those responsible found out too late that he had already signed a contract with Sporting Lisbon. FIFA initially declared the first contract with MSV legal. However, since Amuneke emphasised that he never wanted to play in Duisburg, FIFA also made a U-turn. MSV Duisburg had to sell Amuneke to Sporting Lisbon for $1m.
There, he became famous after scoring a winning goal against arch-rivals Benfica Lisbon. In 1996 he received the title of BBC African Footballer of the Year. He was poached by Spanish giants FC Barcelona for the equivalent of 3.6 million during the 1996/97 season.
Emmanuel Emenike
In December 2011, Emenike and several officials of his former club, Fenerbahce, were formally charged in an alleged match-fixing scandal in Turkey despite Emenike never making a first-team appearance for them. Despite his re-arrest in 2012, he was later cleared of all charges in 2013.
Prosecutors alleged that Emenike missed Karabukspor’s clash with Fenerbahce because of an injury he did not have. Shorn of their star man, Karabukspor lost the game 1-0, allowing Fenerbahce to win the Turkish League title. It was further alleged Fenerbahce then signed him as repayment of that debt. A claim he strongly denied. In 2013, Emenike returned to Fenerbahce for around €13m.
