Super Eagles news: Two reasons Sevilla declined Venezia’s Akor Adams offer

Sevilla have rejected a bid from newly promoted Serie A club Venezia for Super Eagles striker Akor Adams, with the Spanish club making clear they will not entertain offers that fall short of their valuation, Afrik Foot reports.

According to Transferfeed, via Tribal Football, Venezia’s offer was around €10 million, and Sevilla are expecting around triple that fee to part ways with the Nigerian striker.

Akor scored 10 goals and provided four assists in 33 appearances across all competitions last season, contributing decisive goals that proved crucial to the Andalusian club’s survival in La Liga.

After joining Sevilla from Montpellier in January 2025 for around €6 million, he has since tripled his market value, with the club now demanding between €20 million and €30 million for the 15-cap Super Eagles forward.

Adams has attracted interest from Olympique de Marseille, Premier League clubs and sides from the Middle East, and the Andalusian club are understood to be holding out for a suitor capable of meeting their asking price rather than settling for a quick sale at a fraction of his worth.

Two reasons Sevilla declined Venezia’s offer

Venezia’s bid of under €10 million is less than half of Sevilla’s asking price, and accepting it would mean selling Adams for a sum barely above what they paid Montpellier just eighteen months ago.

For a club that invested €6 million in the Nigerian and watched him deliver league goals while driving a remarkable turnaround in his market value, sanctioning a sale for that fee would make no sense, especially since they’re in tumultuous financial waters themselves.

The second reason is that Sevilla’s ambition for the upcoming season is a return to European football, and Adams is important to that plan.

The club’s sporting director, José Ignacio Navarro, has been clear that any sale must serve Sevilla’s bigger goal. The income expected from a transfer would fund reinvestment in the squad, not simply reduce the wage bill.

Venezia, as a newly promoted Serie A club with no European football and limited financial standing, cannot offer the kind of fee that would allow Sevilla to adequately replace Adams while simultaneously strengthening in other areas.

Akor Adams’ reaction to the ongoing transfer saga

Speaking to Footy-Africa, the 26-year-old striker played down the possibility of a Sevilla exit.

“It is normal that during this period there will be rumours of transfer moves for a lot of players, and not just myself.

“I am happy that my work is being recognised, but there is nothing to it.

“I have not spoken to my agent, and I do not take such things seriously because right now it is time to relax and recharge for next season.”

The striker went further, making clear where his head is, despite the rumours of an exit swirling around him.

“We did not meet our goals last season, so the focus right now is to see how we can challenge for European places next season.

“That is the goal, and I am not aware of, neither am I thinking about, all those transfer rumours.”

The player’s emphasis on Sevilla’s European ambitions for next season insinuates he wants to be part of the club beyond this summer.

However, if Marseille, a Premier League club or another suitor arrives with an offer in the €20 million to €30 million range that also represents a step up for Adams personally, the public dismissal of transfer rumours could switch quickly, considering Sevilla’s financial needs.

Sevilla’s rejection of Venezia did not close the door on Adams’ departure; it only confirmed the fee it’ll take for the club to part ways with him.