Yakubu Aiyegbeni, former Super Eagles forward has expressed his concerns and has shown his solidarity for Ademola Lookman over his transfer saga with his club Atalanta FC.
Ademola Lookman’s relationship with Atalanta has sharply deteriorated due to broken promises, public clash with manager Gasperini, and a frustrating transfer saga.
Speaking on a live Instagram interview with Germany based Nigerian journalist, Oma Akatugba, Aiyegbeni said he feels sorry for Ademola Lookman, and warned that football players should learn to prioritize agents with strong networks, proven track records, and a reputation for integrity over just big names or exaggerated promises before joining any club.
The erstwhile Everton striker cited former NFF President Amaju Pinnick and Gaizka Mendieta, former Spanish international, as individuals that would have been able to pull a deal through for Lookman, stressing they have trustworthy intermediary reputation for protecting player’s interests.
“I am sorry for what Ademola Lookman is going through now, that is why I keep encouraging players to always have strong personalities that can handle such cases. Amaju Pinnick would have done a good job or even Mendieta, they’re strong when it comes to such.”
Aiyegbeni who represented Nigeria in three AFCON’s, also said Pinnick was a father figure and was instrumental to the choices he made, leading to his career growth and the height he attained afterwards.
“I see Pinnick as my second father, he advised me not to make a hasty decision to join a Qatari club when I had an offer because I was in England and I had just one year to become a British citizen, that advice helped me to stay back. Today I am a British citizen, and a better deal came from China later on.”
“So I keep mentioning Pinnick because he helped to shape my career in many ways, and these are the kinds of people our players needs to work with for career advancement.” He stated.
Yakubu represented Nigeria from 2000 to 2012, earning 58 caps and scoring 21 goals for the Super Eagles, he’s among Nigeria’s all-time top scorers, ranking fourth, behind Rashidi Yekini, Victor Osimhen, and Segun Odegbami.
