Akor Adams’ proposed switch from Sevilla to newly promoted Serie A side Venezia has stirred fierce debate back home in Nigeria.
However, former Super Eagles and Montpellier forward John Utaka has waded into the conversation with a measured but supportive take on Akor Adams’ decision.
Adams has reportedly agreed a multi-year deal that will take him from Sevilla to Venezia for a fee reported to be worth more than €16 million, with performance-related add-ons potentially pushing the total close to €23 million.
Consequently, the move has become one of the more talked-about transfers of the summer among Nigerian fans, not necessarily for the size of the fee, but for the direction of travel. Many had expected Adams, fresh off a productive campaign that helped keep Sevilla in La Liga, to make a step up rather than what some see as a sideways or even backward move to a club just promoted from Serie B.
As a result, social media reaction has been sharply divided. Some supporters questioned the ambition behind the switch, while others pointed to Venezia’s growing financial muscle, including a reported €100 million minority investment and the club’s association with global celebrity investor Drake, as reasons the move makes more sense than it first appears.
Amid the noise, Utaka struck a different tone. Speaking on Adams’ career path, the former Nigeria international, who worked with Adams during the striker’s time at Montpellier, expressed pride in how far the youngster has come.
He has been doing tremendously well, everybody is seeing what he is capable of,”Utaka told Brila.net
I am very happy for him.”
Meanwhile, Utaka added that the move reflects well on Adams’ character rather than diminishing his standing.
“He is showing that he has character and can play at any level. I am really happy for him. He just needs to continue on the track”
Following weeks of negotiation, Venezia’s improved offer eventually persuaded Sevilla to sell, even though the Spanish club had initially demanded as much as €25 million. Adams joined Sevilla from Montpellier in January 2025 for around €5.5 million, meaning the Andalusian club stands to make a significant profit on the sale. Meanwhile, Venezia’s sporting director, Filippo Antonelli, has confirmed the deal is close to completion, though he has been careful not to reveal full details until it is formally sealed.
At international level, Adams has quickly established himself as a dependable understudy and increasingly a rival to Victor Osimhen in the Super Eagles attack. With six goals in 15 caps for Nigeria, his goal-to-game ratio has been impressive, and he played a key role in Nigeria’s bronze medal finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
However, the striker’s rise has been tempered by disappointment, as the Super Eagles narrowly missed out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup following a playoff final defeat to DR Congo. Despite that setback, Adams’ consistent performances for club and country have cemented his place as one of Eric Chelle’s most reliable forward options heading into the new season.
With personal terms long agreed and the transfer fee settled, Adams is expected to travel to Italy for his medical in the coming days, paving the way for the move to be formally announced. Once completed, the transfer will become the biggest in Venezia’s history, surpassing all previous club records. The challenge will then shift from securing the move to proving, week in and week out, that Utaka’s confidence in him is well placed.
