Manchester City interested in signing UD Almeria’s breakout star
According to Spanish publication Diario AS, Manchester City have joined the transfer race for UD Almeria striker Umar Sadiq.
After enduring a rather turbulent last few years, Umar Sadiq, 24, has turned his career around in Spain’s second-tier with Almeria. The Nigerian forward, who signed for Almeria on a five-year deal last year from Serbian club Partizan, has been a sensation in the Segunda Division.
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The 24-year-old enjoyed a blistering 2020/21 campaign with Almeria, registering 28 goals and nine assists in all formats, including 20 goals and seven assists in 38 LaLiga 2 outings.
This goalscoring form hasn’t gone unnoticed in Europe, with clubs like Spartak Moscow and Eintracht Frankfurt having already submitted firm offers for Sadiq, Diario AS report. LaLiga duo Sevilla and Villarreal are among the 24-year-old forward’s admirers too.
Manchester City are the latest entrant for Sadiq, who since has a contract until 2025 and a release clause of €60m, is currently rated at around €30m as Almeria are reluctant to lose him for cheap, Diario AS further state.
The Sky Blues do have a plan in place if they are to sign Sadiq, which may help continue his development. The report adds City could sign the Nigerian this summer and loan him to sister concern Troyes for the 2021-22 season. Later, they would evaluate his performances and look to integrate him for the 2022-23 Premier League campaign.
After having struggled to impose himself at six separate loan spells away from AS Roma, including a torrid stint with Steven Gerrard’s Rangers, Umar Sadiq has finally started to regain the scoring touch he was displaying as a youngster.
A couple of seasons with Partizan Belgrade helped him get back his mojo, thereby earning a move to Almeria, where the 24-year-old forward has finally found a home. Sadiq has scored goals left, right, and centre in the Segunda Division that has caught the eye of Manchester City among a host of European clubs.
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Pep Guardiola doesn’t want to rest on his laurels of last season and is eyeing a couple of high-profile signings to win the Champions League. The Manchester City boss is still in search of a prolific striker to replace Sergio Aguero, who joined Barcelona on a free transfer earlier this month.
As for Sadiq, City do have a plan in place should they sign him. However, they must quickly wrap up the deal with clubs circling for the Almeria starlet’s signature this summer.