Despite expectations of a summer exit, Real Sociedad opted to retain Sadiq Umar, keeping him on their roster for now…
Nigerian international Sadiq Umar resumed training with Real Sociedad this Tuesday, marking his first session with the squad this season. Nevertheless, reports from Soccernet.ng suggest a potential transfer to an Asian club could still materialize in the near future.
In recent months, Sadiq’s name has been linked with various teams, as Real Sociedad appear ready to move on from the forward.
The 28-year-old forward made the switch to the Basque club in 2022 after a standout spell at Almeria. At that time, he was regarded as one of Spain’s top strikers, prompting Real Sociedad to break their transfer record by investing €20 million to secure his signature.
However, his promising start was abruptly halted when he suffered a severe anterior cruciate ligament injury during only his second appearance, sidelining him for the remainder of the season.
Upon his return in the 2023/24 campaign, Real Sociedad had already bolstered their attacking options, relegating Sadiq mostly to substitute appearances. Unfortunately, he struggled to make a significant impact during his limited minutes.
Midway through last season, after featuring in just seven La Liga matches, he secured a six-month loan move to Valencia.
During his stint at Valencia, Sadiq impressed by netting six goals across 19 games. Although there was an option for Valencia to make the deal permanent, the club ultimately chose not to exercise this clause.
Valencia returned with a proposal for another loan towards the end of the transfer window, but Real Sociedad declined the offer.
Besides Valencia, Sadiq was also rumored to be on the radar of several clubs in Spain and Turkey, yet no definitive moves were finalized before the window shut.
Throughout the transfer speculation, Sadiq had been training separately from the main squad. However, Estadio Deportivo now confirms that he has rejoined team training and is expected to be considered for upcoming matches.
Real Sociedad Remain Open to Sadiq Umar’s Departure
With the major European transfer windows now closed, Real Sociedad appear ready to reintegrate Sadiq into their squad plans. Nonetheless, the club remains receptive to offers should a suitable opportunity arise.
One intriguing destination under consideration is the United Arab Emirates, where the transfer window remains open until October 2.
Although no firm bids have emerged yet, a move to the UAE could appeal to Sadiq, particularly if the financial terms are attractive.
Given his limited prospects for regular playing time at Real Sociedad, a transfer might offer him a fresh start and more minutes on the pitch.
For now, however, Sadiq is focused on making a meaningful contribution to Real Sociedad’s campaign.
0 Comments