Valencia plot Sadiq return

Valencia are weighing up a renewed move for Sadiq Umar ahead of the winter transfer window, with the Nigeria striker open to the prospect for a return to Mestalla, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

With the winter transfer window set to open in a week, Valencia are preparing to reinforce multiple positions, with head coach Carlos Corberán identifying Sadiq Umar as a priority target according to Spanish outlet Diario AS.

“Sadiq would not be opposed to a return to Valencia,” AS reported.

“We are just over eight days away from the winter transfer window opening and the movement beginning. Valencia are planning to strengthen several areas of the squad and there is one standout name desired by Carlos Corberán: Sadiq Umar.”

Sadiq joined Valencia a year ago on loan for the second half of the season, helping the club secure top flight survival. Although his contract included an option to buy, AS reported that Valencia chose not to activate it, but returned with renewed interest in the final weeks of the summer window. Real Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay, however, refused to accept the terms proposed, leaving the striker in San Sebastián.

The move has not yielded regular football for the Nigerian this season. Sadiq has featured in seven matches across all competitions, with five appearances coming in La Liga and only two starts.

He has logged 159 league minutes, averaging 32 minutes per game, and is yet to score in the competition, with his only goal this season coming in the Copa del Rey.

His underlying numbers underline his reduced role. Sadiq has recorded an expected goals figure of 0.18 in la liga, taken fewer than one shot per game and registered no shots on target. He has created one big chance, won one penalty and averaged fewer than 10 touches per appearance, figures that reflect his limited involvement in Real Sociedad’s attacking play.

Despite being under contract until 2028, Diario AS report that Real Sociedad would be open to finding Sadiq a way out in the upcoming window, given his lack of minutes and impact. The player himself has repeatedly signalled his openness to a Valencia return. Last summer, he was seen wearing the club’s shirt while playing with friends in Nigeria, and more recently he smiled when asked about his future with the Mestalla side.

Valencia sporting director Ron Gourlay previously confirmed the club’s efforts to re-sign the striker last summer, saying after the transfer window closed.

“There has been no problem with Umar Sadiq. We were prepared for a loan or a transfer, but in the end it did not happen. There was no issue because other options we had worked on came through,” Gourlay said as quoted by AS.

“At the beginning we had several options and, obviously, it started with a loan. Then we showed that we were ready for a permanent transfer. Unfortunately, it did not work. It simply could not be finalised. We made a good offer which was rejected. There has to be agreement between the three parties and that did not happen. That is all.”

Sadiq’s club struggles have also had international consequences. He was omitted from Nigeria’s final squad for the Africa cup of nations, making it a second consecutive year without an international appearance. Once a regular for the Super Eagles, his return to Real Sociedad after the Valencia loan has coincided with a sharp decline in minutes and match rhythm.

With competition for places intensifying, national team coach Éric Chelle opted against selecting a forward still trying to re-establish himself, particularly given Sadiq’s reduced sharpness and lack of continuity, leaving the striker facing a pivotal winter as Valencia consider whether to bring him back to familiar ground.