Reasons have been given why a 19-year-old striker, who has been on the Super Eagles radar, has now transferred to Saudi Arabia, where top stars in the twilight of their careers are cashing it big time.
Before signing with Al Ittihad Monday evening, Ilenikhena was initially approached by another Saudi Premier League (SPL) giant, Al Hilal, the club where Karim Benzema signed from Al Ittihad and where Darwin Nunez, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Theo Hernandez also play.
The Saudi club’s management reportedly even reached an agreement with Monaco, but earlier in January, neither the former Amiens player nor his family seemed particularly enthusiastic about the move, as the prospect of playing in the Bundesliga, their priority at that time, still existed.
Stuttgart and Leipzig reportedly took turns trying their luck, even suggesting they could invest around €20 million to convince Monaco’s management.
However, AS Monaco, who had invested that very sum in Ilenikhena in July 2024 to bring him from Royal Antwerp, hoped to receive more in order to comply with European Financial Fair Play regulations.
“We have to sell a player before July, otherwise we risk UEFA sanctions ,” explained CEO Thiago Scuro on January 14th.
But letting just anyone go wasn’t an option. The senior players, seen as key to the team’s hoped-for resurgence in Ligue 1? Out of the question. The youth academy players? Same. So, Ilenikhena represented one of the few players with high market value that the club’s management was willing to part with.
Saudi Arabia’s arrival was therefore perfectly timed. Not Al-Hilal, tired of waiting, who turned to another great French talent, Rennes’ Kader Meïté. But Al-Ittihad came calling in the final 72 hours of the transfer window.
And at that point, there was no more room for hesitation. The Saudi club quickly agreed a €33 million transfer fee with AS Monaco, and Ilenikhena, whose playing time was limited (3 starts in Ligue 1), was this time willing to accept.
His departure will bring a windfall to Monaco, who also learned they would receive €4 million in profit from the resale of Saïmon Bouabré from Neom to Al Hilal. Jackpot.
