Transfers: La Liga giants Valencia return for prolific Nigerian striker

Los Ché wanted one of Nigeria’s most valuable players in Europe last summer but had their ‘ridiculous’ offer rebuffed by the Rojiblancos

Valencia will make Nigerian forward Umar Sadiq the primary transfer target in the summer as the club’s board of directors have given the green light to a move for the Almeria star, according to transfer insider Carlos Bosch via Estadio Deportivo.

This is not the first time that Valencia will be interested in Sadiq, with the six-time La Liga winners reportedly making a bid for the Super Eagles striker last summer after a remarkable maiden campaign in the Segunda Division.

But Almeria rejected Valencia’s ‘ridiculous‘ offers at the time, and Sadiq was not impressed with Los Che’s salary package.

A lot has changed in nine months, but Sadiq’s efficiency in front of goal has remained the same, with the ex-AS Roma starlet notching 15 goals and ten assists in 28 games for La Union.

Valencia are back in the hunt for a man who is once again linked with some of Europe’s biggest sides, including Villarreal and Benfica.

In their bid to win the race for Sadiq, Valencia would see a boost in their finances if they seal a place in one of the European competitions spots next season.

In addition, the 2004 UEFA Cup winners may also need to offload striker Maxi Gomez to afford a Sadiq, who has a €60 million release clause in his contract.

Almeria may, however, let go of the four-cap Nigeria international for €25 million should they fail to gain promotion to the Spanish La Liga come May.

The Rojiblancos sit third in La Liga2 ahead of their Monday night clash against Ponferradina in a matchday 35 fixture.