Football, like life, is a game of margins. Deals fall through, and opportunities missed.
In this article, we explore some of the biggest transfer ‘what ifs’ in history involving Super Eagles players. These are the deals that almost were, the moves that could have redefined careers and shaped the landscape of the game, but which never materialised.
Finidi George: Real Madrid's first Super Eagles star
Finidi George‘s career trajectory could have taken a significantly different path had circumstances aligned.
The Super Eagles winger, renowned for his dazzling skills and pace, was on the brink of a move to Real Madrid in 1996. However, a combination of factors prevented this dream transfer from materialising.
Following Ajax's heartbreaking Champions League final defeat to Juventus, the Dutch giants embarked on a squad overhaul. Finidi found himself on the chopping block despite being a key figure in the team's success. This opened the door for Real Madrid to make a move.
“After our Champions League final defeat to Juventus, the coach made it clear that they wanted to sell me,” Finidi told GOAL. “At that time, Real Madrid were interested in signing me but as at that time, they didn’t have the kind of money that they have now.”
With Real Madrid unable to match Ajax's valuation, Finidi eventually joined Real Betis, where he enjoyed a successful spell. The move to Spain, while fulfilling, has left a sense of what-if in the minds of Nigerian football fans ever since.
Moses Simon: The Finidi-Babangida-Ikedia line of succession
Lightning forward Simon impressed during a trial with Dutch giants, Ajax Amsterdam in 2013, earning himself a pre-contract agreement.
However, a breakdown in negotiations over personal terms between the club and the player’s agent scuppered the deal.
At the time, a young Simon was eager to join the renowned Ajax academy, but the intricacies of contract talks proved to be a stumbling block. The move would have exposed the Super Eagles winger to a high-level footballing environment at a formative stage of his career.
Chidera Ejuke: Walking Alone on Merseyside
Back in 2018, the winger found himself on the cusp of a dream move to Liverpool.
Invited to train with the Anfield giants alongside a group of friends, Ejuke was filled with hope and expectation. The young Nigerian showcased his skills at the AXA Training Centre, dreaming of a future in the famous red shirt. But, as fate would have it, the Liverpool coaching staff led by Jürgen Klopp saw things differently.
The rejection was a bitter pill to swallow for the aspiring footballer. It was a setback that cut deep, a moment where the weight of expectation and disappointment collided.
Yet, the experience, as tough as it was, would undoubtedly shape the player the Super Eagles dazzler would become.
Victor Osimhen: The Gunman who got away from the Gunners
In 2015, the young Nigerian striker opted for Wolfsburg over Arsenal. The decision, made at the tender age of 18, was influenced by the belief that the Bundesliga outfit would provide a better platform for his development.
Fresh from a triumphant U-17 World Cup campaign, Osimhen found himself in high demand. Arsenal, among other European giants, expressed interest in securing his signature.
However, the prodigy felt that Wolfsburg offered a more conducive environment for his growth as a footballer.
“There were many clubs that were interested in me,” the Super Eagles star said. “But my choice was Wolfsburg because I think that my development opportunities were highest here.”
John Mikel Obi: Manchester United mirage
The saga of John Mikel Obi's transfer from Lyn Oslo to Chelsea is one of the most infamous in football history. It was a transfer window tussle that captivated the world and almost derailed the promising career of a young Nigerian talent.
After shining on the world stage at the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Cup, Mikel caught the eye of Europe's top clubs. Manchester United were the first to pounce, securing a deal with Lyn Fotball and publicly unveiling the teenager as their new signing.
However, Chelsea swiftly intervened, claiming to have a prior agreement with the player and his representatives. A legal battle ensued, with FIFA ultimately ruling in Chelsea's favor. Mikel would eventually join the Blues for a fee of £16 million.
The question of how Mikel's career would have unfolded at Manchester United remains a tantalizing one. Would he have become the silky Super Eagles no.10 many envisaged, as opposed to the defensive midfielder he became at Chelsea?
