In the high-stakes world of professional football, lucrative deals and glamorous transfers often make headlines. However, beneath the surface lies a more complex reality. Nigerian footballers, in particular, have found themselves entangled in a web of contract disputes, financial woes, and career uncertainty. From high-profile cases such as Victor Osimhen’s contract saga with Napoli and Ademola Lookman’s standoff with Atalanta to Kelechi Nwakali’s struggles with Barnsley, these disputes highlight the challenges faced by Nigerian players in navigating the intricate landscape of professional football.
As the beautiful game continues to captivate audiences worldwide, the behind-the-scenes drama of contract disputes and financial squabbles threatens to overshadow the on-field heroics of Nigeria’s finest footballers. This feature explores the intricacies of these disputes, their impact on players and clubs, and the broader implications for Nigerian football.
Victor Osimhen
Oshimhen joined Napoli from Lille in July 2020 in a deal reportedly worth £73 million ($96 million), making him the most expensive African player of all time. He scored a respectable 10 goals in his first season before a managerial change saw Gennaro Gattuso replaced by Luciano Spalletti. Under Spalletti, Osimhen netted 18 times in his second season before plundering 31 in all competitions as Napoli surged to victory in the title race in 2022-23, securing the club’s first Scudetto since 1990.
Osimhen finished the campaign as Serie A’s top scorer and was voted African Player of the Year in December 2023 – just days before signing a lucrative new contract worth over £10 million ($13 million) a year, as Napoli sought to protect the value of their asset.
“Napoli handled the situation badly last season when they offered him a renewal of the contract,” said Italian sports journalist Daniele Verri. Verri believes Osimhen should have “left almost immediately” after the new deal, which included a £113 million ($148 million) release clause, was agreed.
Following a disappointing campaign marked by managerial changes, Napoli appointed Antonio Conte. The former Juventus, Inter Milan, and Chelsea boss wasted no time in making his position clear.
Eager to recruit striker Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea, Osimhen was frozen out, excluded from Napoli’s squad list, and stripped of his number nine jersey. With Conte and Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis described by Verri as “very stubborn people,” all parties were now searching for a resolution.
While several clubs showed interest in Osimhen, few initiated formal talks. Paris Saint-Germain did, but failed to agree on a fee with Napoli. With the Nigerian refusing to accept a lower salary and De Laurentiis insisting on receiving the full release clause, negotiations proved prohibitive.
Chelsea, keen to sign another striker, anticipated Osimhen’s wage demands would decrease as the end of the transfer window approached. However, after investigating a straight loan and a deal including an obligation to buy, the Stamford Bridge hierarchy ultimately decided against either option on deadline day due to their strict new wage structure based on performance-related pay.
Another possible destination was widely rumoured to be Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli. With Napoli finally willing to compromise, terms were initially agreed for a deal worth around £60 million ($78.6 million) – only for De Laurentiis to raise the price again at the last minute. Consequently, while Osimhen’s team were satisfied with the salary offer, Al-Ahli ultimately opted for a cheaper £40 million ($52.4 million) deal for Brentford’s Ivan Toney.
Eventually, Galatasaray swooped in for a loan deal. Upon confirming the signing, they announced that there was no fee attached to the one-year loan agreement and that Osimhen would earn €6 million (£5 million) ($6.65 million) for the year, indicating that Napoli presumably continued to cover the remainder of his contract.
At the end of the one-season loan, Osimhen returned to Galatasaray on a permanent deal after purported moves to various clubs failed to materialise.
Ademola Lookman
Lookman, Super Eagles winger, has been embroiled in a contract dispute with Atalanta, with Inter Milan’s failed bids exacerbating the situation. Atalanta rejected Inter Milan’s bids of €40 million and €45 million (including add-ons) for Lookman, holding firm to their €50-55 million valuation. Inter Milan ultimately decided to withdraw from the deal, citing the high valuation as the reason.
The Nigerian forward has expressed frustration with Atalanta’s stance, submitting a transfer request and removing Atalanta references from his social media accounts. He has also skipped training sessions, which could lead to disciplinary action.
Atalanta’s management is reportedly considering legal action against Lookman for leaving Italy without authorization and missing training sessions. The club may invoke the Diarra rule, which allows players to terminate contracts with compensation if a club’s actions unjustly hinder their career.
Atalanta has offered Lookman to Premier League clubs, including Arsenal and Liverpool, but no formal offers have emerged. A move to the Premier League or elsewhere remains possible but uncertain. Lookman’s contract with Atalanta runs until 2027, valued at €60 million. He earns €4.62 million per year, and should he seek to rescind his contract, he could owe this amount.
Peter Odemwingie,
Former Super Eagles forward, faced several contract disputes and controversies throughout his career. In January 2013, Odemwingie submitted a transfer request, which was rejected by West Bromwich Albion. He drove to Queens Park Rangers’ Loftus Road stadium, believing a deal was imminent, but was left embarrassed when no agreement was reached. The club later fined him two weeks’ wages for his behaviour.
In August 2016, Odemwingie turned down a pay-as-you-play contract offer from Hull City after a trial period, having previously been released by Stoke City and seeking a new club. In 2017, Odemwingie had a public disagreement with Madura United’s president over contract details, wanting to leave the club due to the president’s refusal to remove a clause that prevented him from signing with another Indonesian team.
Kelechi Nwakali
Nwakali, a Nigerian midfielder, has been embroiled in contract disputes with two clubs: Huesca and Barnsley.
His contract with Huesca was terminated in 2022 after he represented Nigeria at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon. The club’s Sporting Director, Ruben Garcia, pressured him not to participate in the tournament, which Nwakali refused.
He claimed Huesca had abused its power to bully him into signing a new contract, including delayed payments. Nwakali stated that Garcia asked him to leave the club on the final day of the January transfer window and threatened not to pay him if he did not comply.
At Barnsley, the head coach of the English League One side, Conor Hourihane, confirmed that Nigeria international midfielder Kelechi Nwakali is free to leave the club before the close of the ongoing summer transfer window.
The Nigerian was banished from training with the first team following his late return for pre-season from a holiday in Nigeria.
This situation led to his omission from the squad in matches against Plymouth Argyle, Burton Albion, Fleetwood Town, and Bolton Wanderers.
Speaking ahead of the match against Peterborough United, the coach confirmed that Nwakali, who had been sacked for a similar offense by Spanish side Huesca, was not part of his plans for the season.
He stated, “Obviously, there are a couple of weeks to go in the window. Let’s see where it takes us,” and when asked about allowing Nwakali to leave, he did not mince his words: “Yes, that’s the plan.”
Experts speak
Experts and stakeholders alike attribute these troubling situations to a lack of understanding of contractual terms, inadequate access to legal support, and the players’ unwillingness to engage the right expertise to guide them.
In a conversation with LEADERSHIP Weekend Sport, former sporting director of Abia Warriors FC, Chief Patrick Ngwuogwu, noted that many Nigerian footballers lack education and do not surround themselves with experts who understand the intricacies of the football business.
He said, “The problem is that most of our players are not educated, and they do not appoint knowledgeable people around them. What they have are individuals who do not understand the workings of the game.
‘‘There comes a level in the game where you need knowledgeable people to advise you in every aspect. Government officials have various special advisers for this reason. Our players should think along these lines.”
Renowned Abuja-based FIFA licensed football agent Ifeanyi Omonigho Odugo highlighted that contract disputes are a major challenge for Nigerian players. According to him, “Many young players sign exploitative ‘slave-like contracts’ without proper guidance, often with unclear terms or in foreign languages they don’t understand. Some even join clubs not recognised by FIFA, leaving them unprotected by FIFA’s regulations.’’
‘‘FIFA handles disputes involving international contracts, while domestic disputes – within the same country or association – a re manages by Member Association.
‘‘So, solutions require collaboration between players, clubs, agents and league authorities /Member Associations. Players should review contracts with an experienced FIFA licensed agent, and league bodies must enforce stricter measures against clubs that default or exploit players.
‘‘ With stronger awareness and regulation, Nigerian football talent can be better protected and gain global respect.’’
Lagos-based sports marketing consultant Tolu Ogundeji expressed concerns about the efficiency of the Nigeria Football Federation’s Players’ Status and Arbitration Committee (PSAC).
“The delay in resolving contract disputes has been a major challenge, with many players and clubs awaiting rulings. Decisions are usually issued within 48 to 72 business hours after hearing in FIFA cases.”
He suggested establishing a Dispute Resolution Chamber to handle disputes efficiently.
Ibrahim Asani, proprietor of Little League Football Academy in Abuja, emphasized the importance of clear communication and transparency in contract negotiations and dispute resolution.
“Ultimately, Nigerian footballers deserve better protection and support to ensure their careers are not derailed by contractual disputes.
‘‘By learning from these cases and working together, the industry can create a more stable and prosperous environment for players, clubs, and the sport as a whole.’’
The cases of Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Kelechi Nwakali, and other Nigerian footballers underscore the complexities and challenges of contract disputes in professional football.
By learning from these cases and working together, the industry can create a more stable and prosperous environment for players, clubs, and the sport, mitigating the far-reaching consequences that can impact both players’ careers and the reputation of Nigerian football.
