''He'll be worth more!'' – Rufai Oseni backs Okocha's €150m claim

Arise TV broadcast journalist Rufai Oseni has backed Jay-Jay Okocha's claim that he would have cost around €150m as a player in today’s transfer market.

Speaking in an interview with Turkish-based hurriyet, Okocha explained that he would have attracted a huge transfer fee if he was currently playing as a professional footballer.

“They paid £106m for their defensive midfielder (Enzo Fernandez) Chelsea. To a player from Portugal. I would have cost around €150m, my assists, dribbles… World football started to pay a lot of money. Such would be the numbers of players of this quality,” the 49-year-old said as quoted by The PUNCH.

The claim made by the former Super Eagles captain has elicited divided opinions among fans on social media.

Some claim his dribbling skills did not produce the required number of goals as scored by top players in the modern game.

Others are of the notion that the ex-Paris Saint-Germain attacking midfielder couldn't secure a move to some of the best clubs in Europe unlike Kanu, and Mikel, among others.

Rufai, however, believes the former Bolton man could have been worth much more than €150m in today's transfer market.

“I think he will be worth more when you look at his antecedents when he went to PSG.
He broke the first African record with 17 million dollars, the Broadcaster noted on Arise TV's morning show.

“So, look at it and extrapolate it today. I mean what player, even the likes of Mbappe has the flair and finesse, and talent that Okocha brings to the field of play on a good day?

“Even at the tail end of his career at Bolton, he can match up with some of the guys of today.”

Okocha joined Paris Saint-Germain from Turkish giants Fenerbahce for a then-African transfer record fee of £14m, a move which was finalized after his impressive showing at the 1998 FIFA World Cup.

After four seasons in France, the legendary Okocha joined Bolton Wanderers in 2002.

He ended his illustrious career with 101 goals and 57 assists in 492 appearances coupled with six trophies, and 16 individual honours.

WDN