Sociedad want €20m for Sadiq

Sadiq Umar’s time with La Liga outfit Real Sociedad may be coming to an end after a Spanish publication, AS, confirmed that the club are ready to sell the striker, setting a €20m asking price, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Earlier in May, the striker requested to leave Sociedad following another turbulent season with the Basque club.

It’s been a difficult two-year spell for the Super Eagles striker since joining the club from Almeria during the 2022 summer for €20m.

Sadiq started the 2022/23 season in fine form, scoring three goals in five matches with a debut goal for the Txuri-Urdinak against Atletico Madrid, before suffering the injury that saw him out of action for 11 months.

Since his return from the ACL injury, Sadiq has struggled to return to his best.

After making his return in the 2023/24 season against Girona, Sadiq was unable to make his way into Imanol Alguacil’s starting XI, playing a total of 1070 minutes from a possible 3330 minutes and starting just 12 of the club’s 38 La Liga games.

Ahead of the 2024/25 season, Sociedad have made a decision on the Nigerian’s future but are hoping to recoup the money spent on him two seasons ago.

 “Umar Sadiq and Real Sociedad are doomed to come to an understanding. Both the player and the club are looking to end the relationship that began two summers ago when the Gipuzkoans paid €20m to secure the services of the Almería striker,” the website wrote.

 “To date, the Nigerian has not met expectations, and both parties are looking favourably on his departure. Clubs such as Genoa and Sevilla have shown interest in signing him, but the San Sebastian club are a tough nut to crack in the negotiations.

According to AS, Real Sociedad are demanding at least €15m plus a percentage of a future sale for the transfer of their striker. An unaffordable figure for clubs that mostly demand the loan of the ‘19’ texture-burden. His high salary is another impediment.

“Real Sociedad want to recoup a large part of the investment made, so they reject any loan formula and are open to a financial agreement.”

Meanwhile, Umar has emerged as a priority target for Getafe, who lost Enes Unal during the winter, as he joined Andoni Iraola at Premier League club AFC Bournemouth.