AC Milan winger Samuel Chukwueze has revealed the details of the lucrative offer he rejected from a Suadi Arabian team so that he could join the Rossoneri.
Speaking during an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport (via Milan News), the Nigerian winger explained that he had the opportunity to leave European football and earn more money in the Saudi Pro League one year ago.
The summer of 2023 was when a whole host of stars, young and old who had been impressing in Europe opted to follow the riches of the Saudi Pro League.
Chukwueze was playing for Villarreal at the time and he explained to Gazzetta that money has not been his motivation, saying: “Money? If it had been a problem, I would have signed in Saudi Arabia. A year ago they wanted me.”
He did not say which club or just how much money they were offering, but when pushed he said: “€10 million net per season? No no, it was much more.” For context, Capology lists Chukwueze’s Milan salary as just over €5m a year.
He also explained that his agent had brought these lucrative proposals to him but he only had eyes on Milan at that stage as their interest was clear.
“My mind was set only on Milan. My agent told me, ‘Hey, look, there’s this money…’. But I said: ‘I don’t want to go anywhere else’. So he gave up. If that money comes, it will come. The most important thing now is to believe in myself, I’m still young, I want to make it, I have to stay in Europe,” he explained.
He had a great preseason and is like a new signing. Sometimes players take longer to settle. I expect him to have a great season, perhaps surpass Leao on performance and contribution level.
He will not surpass Leao. I can put money on that.
I hope he has a good season ofc but let’s not hype the preseason. Romero had a great pre last year too
Leao can’t even surpass himself. I wonder if Fonseca can unlock him more. I don’t know how much longer Leao plans to d!ck around instead of play more consistently.
Go for it Chuku. Nice to see players with sporting ambitions not just paycheck hunters. He knows if he makes it here, he’s written down in history. Nobody will remember saudi players
He looks more confident this summer for sure. Hopefully he really shines this season. We need him so we can focus Puli more centrally who can hopefully build on last season.
If it works we will have a bombastic front 4. We’d need selfless runners on pivots to compliment then tho. Atm we have none
More I see, more I heard about this guy, I like him more. Seems he is humble , with great attitude and will to perform . Seems he’s not greedy and opportunist. I like his character .
He’s spot on. He has good faith. The glory and rewards will come to him. Forza Milan