Can Almeria Still Hold on to Its Jewel?
With 23 goals and seven assists, Nigeria 2016 Olympics bronze medalist, Umar Sadiq is the hottest property in Spanish Segunda Division and with such scoring form that attracted an invitation to Nigeria’s last AFCON qualifiers but could not materialise due to coronavirus issues. With Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich and LaLiga power house Sevilla already probing; Almeria may be on the verge of losing their top striker
With Bayern Mu- nich and Sevilla competing to sign Nigerian striker, Umar Sadiq involved in 30 goals this season, Rangers fans would be wondering just how the Nigerian has gone from Ibrox flop to potential Bayern signing. And would be suggesting that maybe Steven Gerrard could have shown more faith in him at Rangers, but it’s safe to say that nobody saw this kind of thing coming.
According to celebrated Spanish sports daily Diario AS, European champions Bayern Munich and Sevilla are interested in signing 2016 Olympics bronze medalist Umar Sadiq in the summer.
If Sadiq is to leave Almeria when the transfer window opens, then it will be for 60 million euros, the fee stated in the striker ’s release clause but the price would rise to 80 million euros if the Rojiblancos are promoted to La Liga at the end of this season.
On the other hand, Almeria would be willing to listen to offers as from 30 million euros if they remain in the second-tier.
The former Nigeria U23 international is having a fantastic season, leading to a maiden call-up to the Super Eagles for their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against the Republic of Benin and
Lesotho, but was prevented from linking up with the squad due to coronavirus concerns.
Sadiq has directly participated in 30 goals (23 goals and 7 assists) in all competitions combined for Partizan Belgrade, where he started this season, and current club Almeria.
Sevilla are reportedly the front runners to sign the lanky striker who has a contract with Almeria until June 30, 2025.
Sevilla chief Monchi knows all about the qualities of Sadiq as he was once the sporting director of AS Roma, the player’s former club.
Sadiq was a major flop with Glasgow Rangers but could be on his way to one of the world’s biggest clubs as he is being lined up by German giants Bayern Munich and Spanish powerhouse for a big-money summer move
The Nigerian striker was a major flop at Ranger and is best remembered in Glasgow for diving instead of tapping the ball into the net during the Betfred Cup semifinal defeat to Aberdeen in 2018.
It was the only start Sadiq made in his Rangers career with Alfredo Morelos suspended and Kyle Lafferty cup-tied during Steven Gerrard’s first season at the club.
He was shipped back to Roma in the January after failing to impress, with Gerrard heavily critical of him in press conferences during the season.
He moved onto Partizan Belgrade before joining Spanish second tier side Almeria last summer.
The 24-year-old has impressed while in Spain with 17 league goals in 32 games this season, and has reportedly attracted the interest of Bayern Munich.
Spanish outlet AS says the German giants are very interested in him, but Almeria aren’t willing to listen to offers and will only accept his release clause.
That means Bayern would need to splash an eye-watering €60million at a minimum, up to €80m if Almeria earn promotion to the top flight.
Sadiq was a major flop at Ibrox, but has turned his career around and could end up playing alongside Robert Lewandowski if this deal happens.
Born in Kaduna, Nigeria, Sadiq came through the Future of Africa Football Academy and the Football College Abuja on his way to the top. He made the move to Europe first to Italy, joining the Spezia youth academy and then on to Roma, who he debuted for and scored for at the age of 18.
A series of loans followed as he went in search of first team minutes to fellow Italian sides Bologna and Torino, Dutch side
NAC Breda, Scotland’s Rangers, Perugia back in Italy, and Partizan Belgrade in Serbia.
With so much upheaval at such a young age, it was tough for Sadiq to truly settle, but he finally found stability in Belgrade and produced an incredibly impressive 23 goals and 19 assists for the Serbian club in just 52 matches.
His talent was obvious to see, and he was quickly snapped up by Almeria to bring him to LaLiga – a league which has embraced African talent to the full over the decades. At Almería, he is experiencing a different footballing culture and continues to thrive.
“We have a lot of confidence in him,” says Almeria coach Jose Manuel Gomes of Sadiq. “He’s a striker who disrupts opposition centre-backs, who has quality, who is very strong and who can score goals.”
It however remains to be seen how much Almeria would be able to ward off the forays two top European clubs on the trail of the jewel striker.