It's not about passion but money - Odion Ighalo on Saudi Arabia transfer

It's not about passion but money - Odion Ighalo on Saudi Arabia transfer

Hassan Abdulsalam 12:56 - 29.01.2025

Former Super Eagles striker has cleared the air on players moving to Saudi Arabia.

Super Eagles striker Victor Boniface is the latest Nigerian star to be linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League.

The Bayer Leverkusen striker is close to completing a move to Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr to join Cristiano Ronaldo.

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Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano indicated the deal was nearing completion, stating that the Saudi club had secured the player's approval.

Xabi Alonso is seemingly resigned to losing Victor Boniface this January | Imago

Now, German football journalist Florian Plettenberg has reported a breakthrough, confirming that a full agreement has been reached between the clubs.

The transfer fee is reportedly more than €60 million, adding to the magnitude of the move, it's understood that the 24-year-old player has already undergone and passed his medical examinations.

Furthermore, the player is set to receive a substantial annual salary of €15 million.

Following the recent developments, an interview by ex-Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo has resurfaced.

What Ighalo said

During the interview, Odion Ighalo stated clearly that any move to Saudi Arabia is all about money and not for passion.

Ighalo and Wehda enjoyed a rare away win at Al Fateh.

He said, "To those players that will come and say that we are playing football for passion this and all that but all is about money, see the people that are going to Saudi Arabia, they are big players.

"Is Ronaldo still playing for passion? He (Ronaldo) has made too much more 100 times than i have had in my life and he still went to Saudi. So you want to tell me it is passion? Its for money oo."

The €60 million-pound transfer of Victor Boniface to Saudi Arabia has placed him second on the list of the most expensive Nigerian footballers of all time. While a substantial sum, it falls €17 million short of the record held by Victor Osimhen, who made a €77 million move from Lille to Napoli.

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