Nigerian forward Chuba Akpom has revealed that he had mouthwatering offers from Saudi Arabia before moving to Ajax in 2023, Soccernet.ng reports.
Akpom joined Dutch giants Ajax from English Championship club Middlesbrough in 2023 after an impressive campaign.
Before his transfer, the Nigerian striker led the league in scoring, contributing 28 goals and two assists in 40 league appearances for the Boro.
After that brilliant campaign, Akpom was linked with with some clubs in the top-flight of some of Europe’s top leagues. It was an issue that dragged on for quite a while, until he eventually joined Ajax in a deal worth €12.3million.
In a recent interview, Akpom opened up on what transpired during that period. He confirmed that there was interest from a Saudi Arabian club, and they were offering him big money at the time.
The Arsenal-trained forward stated that the offer was higher that anything he has gotten in his career, and it shook him and his family.
“Before I signed for Ajax, I received an offer from Saudi Arabia,” Akpom told Laviecutz’s TikTok channel, per Voetbalprimeur.
“Then I didn’t sleep for five days. Look: when you hear that there is interest in you, it is something completely different than when you see it on paper.
“Then you start to feel all kinds of things in your body. Your elbow starts to itch, everything starts to itch. I didn’t sleep for five days. My girlfriend and I were in bed thinking about it…”
“I don’t know if you’ve ever had this. Not having a large sum of money, but already starting to spend it?
“You’re spending money you don’t even have yet! I was at Disneyland with my girlfriend. Thinking about all the things we could buy, about the life that lay ahead of us.”
Over the last three years, Saudi Arabia have earned a reputation for paying players in Europe big monies to convince them to move there.
Chuba Akpom at crossroads in Ajax
Chuba Akpom has had a difficult time at Ajax. He endured a torrid first season amid at the club amid managerial changes and the club’s instability.
Last season, he joined Lille midway through the campaign due to lack of regular game time. But they refused to sign him permanently at the end of the season.
Now, he is back at Ajax, but it is unclear whether he will play there next season or leave for another club this summer.
Akpom was born to Nigerian parents in England and even represented the latter at youth level. However, he has switched allegiance to Nigeria. But he is yet to get a call-up.
He will hope to improve his game, so he can get a look-in with the national team soon.