The current crop of Super Eagles stars is one of the best set of talents the country have had in recent years. It is also one of the youngest National team squad with an average age of 23.5 years.
Gernot Rohr’s men are also one of the most valuable squads in Africa with the Super Eagles having a market value €212.80m, just behind Senegal that sit in the first position.
With that said, Soccernet.ng takes a look at Nigeria’s top ten most valuable player. Note that, for the player to be considered, he must have played for the Super Eagles, and he should not be retired.
Also, these players are ranked based on figures acquired from Transfermarkt.
Shehu has made 21 appearances for the Green Crocodiles this campaign, scoring two goals. He joined Bursaspor from Anorthosis Famagusta for €300k but has seen his value double in two years.
Shehu made his debut in 2014 and has earned 27 caps since then. The Nigeria international is also known for his versatility having played as a right-back and central midfielder.
Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, Idowu made his debut and scored in Nigeria’s 4-2 win over Argentina in 2017. The 27-year-old currently plays for Lokomotiv Moscow, and he is valued at €1.50m.
He joined the side in 2018 from another Russian team, Amkar on a free transfer. He has made 13 appearances for Loko this season.
Like Shehu, Idowu is also versatile with the ability to play both as a right-back and left-back.
Aribo only made his Super Eagles debut last September, but he has gone on to become one of Super Eagles key players. The 23-year-old who was born in England, currently plays for Rangers in the Scottish Professional Football League.
He joined the Gers from Charlton last summer on a free transfer, but he is currently valued at €1.30m which is surprising considering his performances for Rangers this season.
The Nigeria international has made 39 appearances for Steven Gerrard’s men this season, scoring eight times, and providing seven assists.
Should he continue in this form, the 23-year-old will definitely see his value increase in a couple of months.
Another player born in England, Semi Ajayi made his Super Eagles debut in 2018 and has ten caps already.
The 26-year-old is leading West Brom promotion charge at the Hawthorns sitting on top of the championship table with 59 points, four clear of second-place Leeds.
West Brom signed the Nigeria international from Rotherham last summer for a reported fee of €1.65m, but he is currently valued at €2.00m. Promotion to the Premier League will see Ajayi’s value go past €2.00m.
The 26-year-old was formerly with Chelsea, but he did not make a single appearance for them as he was sent out on loan throughout his time at the Bridge.
He ended his seven-year stay with the Blues by signing for Leganes for €5.00m. But he has seen his value decrease by 40%.
Jamilu Collins is one of the new faces in the squad, but he has over ten caps to his name. The 25-year-old currently plays for German Bundesliga side, Paderborn, and has made 20 appearances for the team this season.
Super Eagles fans have not really warmed up to Mikel Agu, but the 26-year-old has always played his role perfectly whenever he plays.
Agu currently plays for Vitória Guimarães, a club he joined on a free transfer from Porto. He has made 18 appearances for the team, scoring one goal, and registering an assist.
The Super Eagles vice-captain is surprisingly valued at €4.00m. Ekong has made 39 appearances for Nigeria since making his debut under the late Stephen Keshi.
He currently plays for Udinese in Italy and has made 21 appearances for the team this season. Ekong joined Udinese from Bursaspor in 2018 for €3.30m, but he is currently valued at €4.00m.
He also recently extended his contract at Stadio Friuli till 2023.
The Nigerian winger has been one of Nantes best players this season. Currently, on loan from Levante, Simon has scored nine goals in 26 appearances for the Canaries with the latest coming in a thrilling 3-3 draw against Dijon last weekend.
Nantes have the option of buying the Super Eagles star permanently for €5.00m, but reports suggest that could change in the summer.
According to reports, Newcastle, Lyon and Hertha Berlin are all interested in the Nigeria international, and he could go for €17.00m
The lanky striker joined Genk from FC Midtjylland for €6.00m, but he is currently valued at €6.50m. With eight goals and two assists for Genk this season, Onuachu could see his value go up again at the end of the season.
Maja made his Super Eagles debut in the 2-2 draw with Ukraine last year but has not featured for the team since then.
However, his value has more than tripled following his brilliant performances for Bordeaux this campaign. The 21-year-old joined Bordeaux from Sunderland for €1.70m in 2018, but he is currently valued at €7.00m.
Maja has made 20 appearances for Les Girondins this season, scoring seven goals, and providing three assists.
The Quartet are all valued at €10.00m. Musa joined Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr from Leicester for €16.50m in 2018.
But the Super Eagles captain’s value has dropped by a massive €6.00m, and that could be due to the quality of the Saudi Arabian League.
Aina was formerly on Chelsea books, but he left the Blues to join Torino for €10.00m- a value he still maintains. He has made over 20 appearances for Il Toro this season.
Samuel Kalu joined Bordeaux from Gent in 2018 for € 8.50m, but he is now valued at € 10.00m. He has a contract that runs till 2022, but he could be on the move this summer after Les Girondins manager, Paulo Sousa questioned his mentality.
Onyekuru joined Monaco from Everton for €13.50m but saw his value drop due to injuries, and lack of game time. However, the Nigeria international is back at Galatasaray- a club he had success with last season.
The 22-year-old scored 16 times in all competitions to help the Lions win a League and Cup double.
Kelechi Iheanacho’s career has been on a downward spiral, and that has caused a massive drop in his value.
The Nigeria international joined Leicester City for €27.70m but has seen a 55% decrease in his worth due to lack of game time and loss of form.
Also Read: Has Iheanacho Done Enough To Earn A Super Eagles Recall?
However, the 23-year-old has managed to turn his form around since the beginning of December, and he seems to be enjoying his football again.
Osimhen and Chukwueze are the golden stars of Nigeria’s new generation.
Osimhen has taken the Ligue 1 by storm in his debut season, while Chukwueze broke into stardom following a series of brilliant performances with Villarreal last season.
Osimhen only joined Lille from Royal Charleroi for €13.00m last summer, but he is now valued almost three times of that amount. According to reports, the 21-year-old was a transfer target for Chelsea, Liverpool and Spurs in the January transfer window.
The former Golden Eaglets star will definitely command massive money should Lille decide to bow to pressure this summer.
His compatriot, Chukwueze is also another player attracting interest from Chelsea, although he recently signed a new deal at the Estadio de la Cerámica with a release clause of €100.00m.
Also Read: Is It Time For Chukwueze To Quit Villarreal For Chelsea?
One thing is sure, both Chukwueze and Osimhen will go for big money should their clubs decide to cash in on them.
Iwobi joined Everton from Arsenal in a deal worth €41.18m, but his value has decreased by almost €10.00m.
The 23-year-old recently returned from a month lay off last weekend, but his performances for the Toffees have been inconsistent.
The Super Eagles star has made 21 appearances for the Blues this season, scoring just two goals and providing a lone assist.
Valued at €45.00m, Ndidi is currently Nigeria’s most valuable player, and there’s no one better to hold that achievement than the Leicester City man.
The former Genk man embodies everything a professional player should be. Recently, he was hailed as Super Eagles most devoted player by NFF President, Amaju Pinnick.
Also, Ndidi is currently studying Business and Management De Montfort University (DMU) despite his busy schedule.
On the pitch, Ndidi is the fulcrum of a Leicester side that is well on course to qualify for the Champions League next season.
Not only is he the most valuable Nigerian player at the moment, but he is also one of the most Valuable defensive midfielders in the world right now.
Should he maintain this form, it’s only a matter of time before one of Europe’s topsides come for his services.
This post was last modified on February 16, 2020 6:28 am
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