Spanish LaLiga outfit, Deportivo Alaves are reportedly considering a swoop for Nigerian international and Real Sociedad striker Umar Sadiq.
Sadiq, who was signed by Real Sociedad for a record €20 million, has endured a rocky spell since his arrival.
His debut campaign was derailed by a devastating anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained in just his third appearance, which ruled him out for the remainder of the season.
Even after his return, Sadiq struggled to fully recover form and fitness, making limited impact during his outings with the Basque club.
Seeking more game time, the 27-year-old was loaned to Valencia during the January transfer window last season.
He made a decent impression there, scoring six goals in 19 appearances.
There were even speculations about a permanent move to Valencia, but the deal ultimately fell through.
Now back at Sociedad, Sadiq may not remain for long. According to Solofichajes, Alaves have now expressed interest in acquiring his services and could soon launch a formal bid.
The striker is currently valued at €5 million by Transfermarkt and has three years left on his contract.
However, Real Sociedad are expected to demand a higher fee for the Nigerian forward.
From Kaduna Streets to Europe: Sadiq’s Football Journey
Sadiq was born in Kaduna, where he kicked off his football journey on the city’s streets. His early talent saw him join Kusa Boys before progressing to the Future of Africa Football Academy and eventually the Football College Abuja.
His breakthrough came in 2013 during a youth tournament in Croatia, the Kvarnerska Rivijera, where he emerged as the top scorer and led his team to victory. His exploits caught the eye of Italian club Spezia, who signed him soon after.
Though he didn’t feature for the first team, Sadiq shone in the youth ranks. In the 2014–15 season, he was the top scorer in the Campionato Primavera with an astonishing 26 goals in 24 games.
That form earned him a move to Serie A giants Roma on a loan deal worth €250,000, with a buyout clause set at €1.25 million per player.
He arrived alongside fellow Nigerian Nura Abdullahi.
Sadiq wasted no time in announcing himself, scoring eight goals in his first three Primavera matches for Roma.
He made his Serie A debut on 21 November 2015, coming on in the 88th minute for Juan Iturbe in a 2–2 draw against Bologna.
International Career
Umar Sadiq was part of Nigeria’s U-23 squad that clinched bronze at the Rio 2016 Olympics, netting four goals during the tournament.
He also featured for the Super Eagles at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, though Nigeria exited in the round of 16.
With Alaves now circling and Sociedad open to negotiations, Sadiq’s next move could offer the fresh start he needs to reignite his career.
