Super Eagles’ Squad Value Falls As Lookman, Boniface Suffer Biggest Losses

Super Eagles’ Squad Value Falls As Lookman, Boniface Suffer Biggest Losses

By Admin 

Several Super Eagles players have suffered significant declines in their market values following a difficult 2025/26 European season, with Ademola Lookman and Victor Boniface recording the steepest drops amid injuries, failed transfers, inconsistent form and limited playing time, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

While Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze posted modest gains, the overall decline in the valuations of several Nigerian internationals reduced the Super Eagles' combined squad value to €172.05m. The drop also saw Nigeria fall to seventh among Africa's most valuable national teams, outside the continent's top five.

Boniface endured the most dramatic decline. The striker, who was valued at €40m at the start of the period after previously reaching a career-high €45m, saw his valuation plummet to €5m following a disappointing campaign.

His struggles began after a proposed move to AC Milan collapsed due to concerns raised during his medical examination. Boniface remained at Bayer Leverkusen before joining Werder Bremen on a season-long loan in September 2025.

However, the switch failed to revive his fortunes. The 25-year-old failed to score in 11 Bundesliga appearances, registering just two assists in 332 minutes of action before undergoing knee surgery in January, which ruled him out for the remainder of the season. He has since returned to Bayer Leverkusen following the expiration of his loan spell.

Lookman also experienced a significant drop in value after beginning the season among Africa's highest-rated players.

Fresh from inspiring Atalanta to UEFA Europa League glory, winning the CAF Player of the Year award and finishing 14th in the Ballon d'Or rankings, the forward's valuation rose to €60m. It has since fallen to €40m.

The decline coincided with a sharp drop in productivity, as Lookman managed just three goals and two assists in 19 appearances after producing 20 goals and seven assists during the previous campaign. A proposed move to Inter Milan failed to materialise, while reports of a transfer request and his temporary exclusion from Atalanta's matchday squads preceded his eventual move to Atletico Madrid for a reported fee of around €40m in February 2026.

Taiwo Awoniyi's market value has also continued its downward trend since reaching a peak of €30m in October 2023.

By mid-2026, the Nottingham Forest striker's valuation had dropped from €16m to €8m after a difficult season in which he scored only once in 26 Premier League appearances. An 11-match goal drought and the emergence of Chris Wood as Forest's first-choice striker restricted Awoniyi to just 396 league minutes.

Terem Moffi also saw his value decline following an injury-hit spell. The forward suffered a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury during Nice's pre-season preparations in July 2024, sidelining him for 243 days.

Although he returned to score two Ligue 1 goals in 10 appearances, his campaign was further disrupted after Nice's 3-1 defeat to Lorient on November 30, when angry supporters confronted players following the team's return. The incident reportedly strained his relationship with the club before he secured a loan move to FC Porto in January 2026, with an option to buy for €8m, a sharp fall from his previous peak valuation of €25m.

Wilfred Ndidi remains one of the clearest examples of a sustained decline in market value. Once valued at €60m during his prime at Leicester City, the midfielder's valuation has steadily fallen due to injuries, declining performances and Leicester's relegation.

The 29-year-old joined Besiktas in August 2025, making 25 Turkish Super Lig appearances and scoring twice during a mixed campaign. Despite attracting fresh transfer interest this summer, including a reported €10.5m bid from Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad, Ndidi's current valuation stands at €8m, a fraction of the figure he commanded during his Leicester City peak.