AFCON 2025
Nigerian striker Chuba Akpom disclosed that he received lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia before signing with Ajax in 2023.
Akpom made the move to the Dutch giants from English Championship side Middlesbrough after a stellar
season.
During his time at Middlesbrough, he topped the league’s scoring charts with 28 goals and two assists in 40 appearances.
In a recent interview, Akpom shared details of that period, confirming a significant offer from a Saudi Arabian club.
“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.
“You start to feel all kinds of things in your body. Your elbow starts to itch, and everything starts to itch. I didn’t sleep for five days.
“My girlfriend and I were in bed thinking about it… about the life that lay ahead of us.”
Saudi Arabia has gained a reputation over the past three years for offering substantial financial incentives to lure European-based players to their league.
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