Nigeria’s 5 most valuable wingers in 2026: Chukwueze, Lookman ranked

Nigeria has no shortage of attacking talent on the wings, with players at different stages of their careers competing in some of Europe’s leading leagues, Afrik-Foot reports.

The latest Transfermarkt figures provide a useful way to compare their current standing in the transfer market. The figures reflect factors such as age, recent form, club level, playing time and future potential. They do not, by themselves, decide which player is the best.

The players below come from different football backgrounds and have taken different routes to reach this list. Their 2025-26 performances help explain the value attached to each player, while their age, experience and potential also shape the picture.

Nigeria’s 5 most valuable wingers in 2026

1. Ademola Lookman, €40m

Lookman is Nigeria’s most valuable winger by a wide margin at €40 million. He was also ranked second among all Nigerian players in the database, behind Victor Osimhen.

The 28-year-old began the 2025-26 season at Atalanta before moving to Atlético Madrid in February. He scored twice in 12 Serie A appearances for Atalanta and added four goals in 12 La Liga appearances for Atlético. His league total was six goals.

His Champions League campaign added another layer. Lookman played seven Champions League matches for Atalanta and eight for Atlético, finishing with three goals and three assists across the two clubs in the competition.

The season was not as productive as his outstanding 2024-25 campaign at Atalanta, when he scored 15 Serie A goals. Yet his record in elite European football, his ability to play on either side and his proven scoring record help explain why his value is still so high.

2. Alex Iwobi, €20m

Iwobi is second at €20m, with the Fulham star listed primarily as a left winger, with right wing and attacking midfield also among his secondary positions.

The 30-year-old played a major role in Fulham’s 2025-26 Premier League campaign. He made 29 league appearances, played 2,419 minutes, scored four goals and supplied three assists as well as 48 completed crosses and 40 successful dribbles.

Iwobi scored against Manchester City on 2 December 2025. He also scored against Brentford in September, Sunderland in February and Tottenham in March. His goal against Tottenham came in the 34th minute of Fulham’s 3-0 home win.

His value also reflects his consistency. Iwobi has played more than 300 Premier League matches and has developed into a player who can operate wide or move into midfield. Fulham’s use of him in several roles gave him a high workload and made him one of the most experienced Nigerian wide players in the Premier League.

3. Samuel Chukwueze, €18m

Chukwueze is third with a €18m market value. The AC Milan-owned winger spent last season on loan at Fulham.

The move to Fulham gave him a chance to play more regularly. He made 23 Premier League appearances and played 1,079 minutes. He scored three goals and recorded four assists. He also made one Serie A appearance for Milan before the loan move.

His Premier League season was a clear improvement in output compared with his limited role at Milan. Chukwueze’s pace, left-footed delivery and ability to attack from the right gave Fulham another way to move the ball into the final third.

His value also reflects his age, international experience and long record at Villarreal before his move to Milan.

4. Nathan Tella, €15m

Tella is fourth at €15m. The 26-year-old had an interrupted campaign at Bayer Leverkusen. He made 17 Bundesliga appearances and scored four goals, with one assist. He also played twice in the Champions League.

One of his notable moments came against RB Leipzig in April. Tella scored Leverkusen’s second goal in a 4-1 Bundesliga win, finishing just before half-time.

His playing time was lower than in 2024-25, when he played 34 Bundesliga and Champions League matches and scored four goals with three assists. That reduction in minutes limited his production, but his four league goals still gave Leverkusen useful attacking depth.

Leverkusen also extended his contract in March 2026, with the new deal running until June 2031. That long contract, his age and his ability to play several attacking roles support his €15m valuation.

5. Moses Simon, €7m

Moses Simon is fifth with a €7m value. The Paris FC winger was 30 during the 2025-26 season after joining the French club from Nantes in July 2025.

Simon played 29 Ligue 1 matches for Paris FC, with 25 starts, 2,017 minutes, and contributed three goals and three assists.

His move to Paris FC gave him another leading role after six seasons at Nantes. The club also points to his experience in Ligue 1 and with Nigeria, where he has been a regular international since his debut in 2015.

Simon did not produce the goal numbers of Lookman or Chukwueze, but his value is linked to experience, chance creation, ball carrying and his ability to play from the left. Age is also a factor in the lower figure compared with Nigeria’s younger attackers.