Umar Sadiq could soon be playing alongside former teammate Largie Ramazani, with Real Sociedad keen on signing the Belgian forward.
Ramazani and Sadiq played together at Almeria and enjoyed a wonderful partnership that led to the club’s promotion from the Segunda Division to the Spanish top flight in the 2021/2022 season.
However, both didn’t play together much in La Liga, with the Nigeria international securing a €20 million move to Real Sociedad in September 2022.
Ramazani has since been one of Almeria’s key players and helped the club to survive relegation last season after contributing three goals and two assists in his debut top-flight campaign.
The Manchester United academy graduate continues to be a rare shining light for Almeria, having scored three goals and provided four assists this season, despite the club sitting at the bottom of the league table.
Umar Sadiq could reunite with Ramazani at Real Sociedad
Umar Sadiq’s own injury issues and inconsistency mean Real Sociedad are currently in the market for attacking reinforcements.
The Spanish side are likely to qualify for the Europa League or the Europa Conference League next season, as they currently occupy the sixth position in the league.
According to a report by Todofichajes, Real Sociedad are planning to reunite Sadiq with his former strike partner, especially with Almeria all but certain to be relegated at the end of the season.
However, La Real will reportedly face some competition for Ramazani’s signature in the summer. The Belgium international is said to be keen on leaving, but there are clubs from the Premier League and Serie A who have shown interest.
The report suggests Ramazani desires to continue his career in Spain, which further increases Real Sociedad’s hopes of bringing him to San Sebastian in the summer.
Umar Sadiq returns to Super Eagles after missing AFCON
Meanwhile, Sadiq will be featuring for Nigeria in their upcoming international friendlies against Ghana and Mali in March.
The 27-year-old was in the Super Eagles’ squad for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2024) in Ivory Coast but missed the tournament due to an injury. It was later revealed that the extent of Sadiq’s injury was misdiagnosed by Nigeria’s team doctors, with the striker returning to action for his club just days after leaving the Super Eagles camp.
Sadiq has scored just three goals in 25 La Liga matches this season and will be competing against Napoli star Victor Osimhen, Leicester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho, Nottingham Forest’s Taiwo Awoniyi and Rangers' Cyriel Dessers for a starting spot in the national team.
Nigeria will take on West African rivals Ghana on March 22 in Marrakech, which will be a repeat of the 2022 FIFA World Cup playoff game between the two countries.
The Black Stars stood tall on that occasion via away goals after holding the Super Eagles to a goalless draw in Accra while snatching a score draw in Abuja.
Ghana have, however, not lost to Nigeria since 2006, when the Super Eagles defeated them in an AFCON group game. It has now been 17 years since the Black Stars lost to their rivals and the Super Eagles will be aiming to change that unwanted stat.
Nigeria will also face Mali in their second international friendly on March 26, also in Marrakech, as the warm-up for their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin in June.
The Super Eagles currently occupy third place in Group C of the qualifiers after failing to win any of their opening two group matches against Lesotho and Zimbabwe. It is also worth noting that Nigeria are currently without a head coach following the departure of Jose Peseiro at the end of February.
They are, therefore, likely to play the upcoming friendlies against Ghana and Mali with a stop-gap coach after the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announced that it was taking applications from interested candidates.
