CFR Cluj owner demands N9.3b plus 20 percent sell-on clause from Brighton for Nigerian forward

According to reports in the Romanian media, CFR Cluj owner Ioan Varga has revealed that he has been contacted by Brighton & Hove regarding the transfer of Nigerian forward Philip Otele. 

Varga claimed to have demanded £6m, almost €7m (approximately N9.3 billion in Nigerian currency), plus 20% of the sell-on fee if Otele departs the Seagulls before the expiration of his contract.

Mike Cave, the head of the scouting department of Brighton, says he will inform the management of the Premier League club of the demands for the transfer of Otele.

Despite Otele tied to CFR Club until at least the end of the 2024-2025 season, speculation about his future is rife after his consistent performances for the Railwaymen in the ongoing season.

In 38 appearances across all competitions, the Nigerian has directly participated in twenty goals (13 goals, 7 assists). 

26-time Romanian Liga 1 champions FCSB have been quoted a fee of six million euros to sign Otele. 

"At the moment we have no other offer for Otele apart from Brighton in England.They are thinking about what I proposed: 6 million pounds and 20% of a future transfer," Ioan Varga told iamsport.ro via GSP.

"The head of scouting from them (Mike Cave) said that we stay in touch, that he will talk to the management. I told Gigi Becali 6 million, but in euros, because he is here, in Romania.

"We asked those from Brighton for 6 million pounds. That means about 7 million in euros."

If Otele's transfer to Brighton & Hove goes through, he will surpass Alvaro Pereira (sold for 6.5 million euros to FC Porto) and Lacina Traore (transferred for 6 million euros to Kuban Krasnodar) as the most expensive footballer ever sold by CFR Cluj.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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