Akor Adams joins Venezia: Ranking Sevilla’s biggest transfers to Serie A clubs

Super Eagles striker Akor Adams has completed a permanent move from Sevilla to newly promoted Serie A club Venezia, Afrik-Foot reports.

The Nigeria international becomes the latest player to leave the Spanish club for Italy in a major transfer.

The deal was confirmed on July 23 with Venezia paying an initial fee of around €17 million, while performance-related bonuses could push the total value close to €23.5 million. It is the biggest signing in Venezia’s history and one of Sevilla’s most expensive transfers to an Italian club.

Adams signed a contract until June 30, 2030, with reports saying he will earn around €1.5 million per season. His decision was influenced by Venezia’s ambitious long-term project, backed by ownership linked to APEX Capital and global music star Drake, as well as a significant salary increase.

Sevilla accepted a lower guaranteed fee after originally demanding €25 million. The La Liga club needed to raise funds because of ongoing financial difficulties and plans to rebuild the squad before the new season.

Adams leaves Spain after arriving from Montpellier in January 2025 for about €5 million. He made 37 appearances, scored 10 goals, provided four assists, and produced important winning goals against Espanyol and Villarreal. His performances also helped him become a regular member of Nigeria’s Super Eagles squad.

Ciro Immobile returned to Italy when Lazio completed his permanent signing from Sevilla in the summer of 2016. The deal was worth €8.5 million and was arranged as a €2 million loan followed by a compulsory €6.5 million purchase. Lazio signed the Italian striker to replace club legend Miroslav Klose after his departure.

Immobile had struggled during spells at Borussia Dortmund and Sevilla, scoring only two league goals in Spain. However, a successful loan at Torino convinced Lazio that he could rediscover his best form.

New manager Simone Inzaghi built his attack around Immobile, and the decision proved to be a smart one. During eight seasons in Rome, he scored 207 goals, became Lazio’s all-time leading scorer, won the European Golden Shoe, and lifted three domestic trophies before leaving in 2024.

Juventus signed Danish midfielder Christian Poulsen from Sevilla in mid 2008, paying €9.75 million for the experienced midfielder. Poulsen signed a four-year contract worth about €3 million net per season after impressing during two strong campaigns in Spain.

The move was unpopular with many Juventus supporters, who preferred stars like Xabi Alonso or Dejan Stankovic. Poulsen was also well known in Italy because of previous on-field clashes with Francesco Totti and Kaká.

Despite the criticism, coach Claudio Ranieri believed the defensive midfielder would strengthen Juventus as they prepared for another UEFA Champions League campaign alongside Mohamed Sissoko.

Adams now sits fifth on Sevilla’s list of biggest sales to Italian clubs. Negotiations lasted throughout July after Sevilla rejected Venezia’s opening offer, which was below €10 million. A breakthrough was reached in the middle of the month before Adams completed his medical and signed his long-term contract.

The Nigerian forward said Venezia’s ambitious sporting project convinced him to choose the club. Standing at 1.90 metres, Adams is known for his strength, aerial ability and clinical finishing. His arrival gives Venezia a proven striker as they prepare for life back in Serie A, while Sevilla gain much-needed funds to reshape their squad.

Joaquín Correa returned to Italy when Lazio signed him from Sevilla on the first of August 2018. The transfer included €16 million upfront plus bonuses that could increase the fee to around €19 million. Correa also signed a five-year contract worth €1.5 million per season.

Sevilla decided to sell because sporting director Joaquín Caparrós and coach Pablo Machín wanted players who better suited their tactical plans. Correa had also struggled for regular playing time toward the end of the previous season.

Back in Serie A, the Argentine rebuilt his career. He scored 30 goals in 117 appearances, formed an exciting partnership with Immobile, helped Lazio win the 2018-19 Coppa Italia, and later secured a move to Inter Milan, earning Sevilla additional money through a sell-on clause.

Roma completed the signing of World Cup-winning midfielder Steven Nzonzi from Sevilla on just before the start of the 2018/2019 Serie A campaign. The Italian club paid €26.65 million upfront, with another €4 million available in bonuses, while Nzonzi signed a four-year contract.

The move was driven by sporting director Monchi, who had originally brought the French midfielder to Sevilla from Stoke City. Fresh from helping France win the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Nzonzi arrived in Rome to add experience, strength and leadership in midfield. During his three seasons at Sevilla, he played 136 matches, scored eight goals, and won the 2016 UEFA Europa League.

Carlos Bacca remains Sevilla’s most expensive sale to an Italian club. AC Milan activated the Colombian striker’s €30 million release clause on July 2, 2015. Because Bacca was on holiday in Colombia after the Copa América, Milan sent medical staff to Barranquilla to complete his medical before finalising the transfer.

The striker turned down interest from several Premier League clubs, including Liverpool and Manchester United, choosing Milan even though the Italian giants had failed to qualify for European competition.

Bacca left Sevilla after an outstanding spell in Spain, scoring 49 goals in 108 appearances and leading the club to back-to-back UEFA Europa League titles. His two goals in the 2015 Europa League final against Dnipro remain among the most memorable moments of his Sevilla career.