End of the road: Super Eagles striker to find new club as Valencia rule out permanent deal

Valencia have decided not to pursue the permanent signing of Super Eagles striker Umar Sadiq following the end of his loan spell, due to the high financial demands set by Real Sociedad, according to Estadio Deportivo. 

Sadiq was one of six players to leave Mestalla this month after their loan deals expired. 

Alongside Max Aarons, Barrenechea, Rafa Mir, Mamardashvili, and Iván Jaime, Sadiq’s future had been under review by the club’s sporting management. 

However, while Valencia have opened talks with Porto over a possible return for Iván Jaime, the club has ruled out any further negotiations for Sadiq.

The key stumbling block is the transfer fee. Real Sociedad are unwilling to entertain another loan deal and have instead placed Sadiq on the transfer market with a valuation that Valencia consider excessive. 

Despite the striker’s interest in continuing at Mestalla, the La Liga side have chosen not to match Sociedad’s asking price.

Unlike Iván Jaime, who is pushing for another loan spell and has received backing from Valencia’s coaching staff, Sadiq has seen no such effort to retain his services. 

The Spanish club’s hierarchy sees the Porto midfielder as a priority signing, and have reportedly begun exploring ways to convince the Portuguese club to accept a second loan agreement, something that has yet to gain approval in Lisbon.

While Sadiq remains a target for clubs in need of a proven attacking presence, his future now appears to lie away from both Valencia and Real Sociedad. 

The 28-year-old Nigerian forward, who joined Sociedad in 2022, will await new offers as the transfer window progresses.

Wale Adejumo

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