Former Black Stars midfielder Godwin Attram has cautioned Ghanaian footballers Mohammed Kudus and Antoine Semenyo about the potential risks of moving to Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr, following reports that the club is interested in acquiring the two talented players.
Al Nassr, a powerhouse in the Saudi Pro League, has been linked with a €100 million offer to sign Mohammed Kudus, whose current value stands at €50 million according to Transfermarkt.
The 24-year-old has enjoyed a standout season with West Ham United in the Premier League, scoring four goals.
Kudus’ impressive performances have caught the attention of several major clubs, and Al Nassr’s reported interest adds another layer of intrigue to the player’s future.
Similarly, Bournemouth striker Antoine Semenyo, valued at €35 million, has also drawn the attention of the Saudi club, with speculation mounting ahead of the upcoming transfer window.
However, Attram, who has extensive experience playing in the Middle East, including stints with clubs such as Al Shabab, Al Hazem, and Hajer in Saudi Arabia, has issued a stark warning to the two players.
The 44-year-old former Black Stars international emphasized the harsh realities of playing football in the region, particularly for foreign players.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Africafoot, Attram explained that Middle Eastern clubs can be unforgiving, especially when it comes to player performance.
“It’s very tough in the Middle East,” he said. “What you see in Europe is totally different there. If you don’t perform, they won’t hesitate to let you go. They will throw you out.”
Having played in the region for a significant period of time, Attram understands the intensity of the competition and the high expectations placed on foreign players.
His comments come as a cautionary note to Kudus and Semenyo, both of whom are still in the early stages of their careers and are in high demand within European football.
Attram further advised both players to carefully evaluate their options. “In a career, you have to make sure you assess certain choices,” he said. “It’s not easy everywhere.
The decisions you make in football can either make or break your career. I think they are well-supported by their agents and advisors, but they must realize that Saudi Arabia is often an ideal place to finish your career and earn money.
Kudus and Semenyo are young, and they can still play in Europe for another three or four years before considering a move to the Middle East.”
Attram’s advice resonates particularly with Kudus and Semenyo, who are both still in the prime of their careers.
Kudus, in particular, has shown flashes of brilliance since his move to West Ham, while Semenyo recently made headlines for overtaking Michael Essien to become the fifth-highest Ghanaian goalscorer in Premier League history, after scoring in a 1-1 draw against Manchester United.
Both players also made their mark in the recent international break. Semenyo scored a goal in Ghana’s 1-0 win over Chad, while Kudus netted in the Black Stars’ 3-0 victory against Madagascar.
Despite the lucrative offers that Al Nassr and other Middle Eastern clubs may present, Attram’s words serve as a reminder that players like Kudus and Semenyo still have much to offer in Europe
. At a time when their careers are on an upward trajectory, the temptation of financial rewards in Saudi Arabia must be weighed against the potential for further growth in European football.
With the summer transfer window approaching, Kudus and Semenyo’s decisions will be closely watched by fans and pundits alike.
While the allure of the Middle East is undeniable, both players face a pivotal moment in their careers, and the choices they make will have long-lasting implications.
