Newcastle join race for Tottenham-linked Nigerian star

The Premier League strugglers recently became the biggest money-bags in club football, and they have set sights on raiding Almeria for their prolific striker

Newcastle United have reportedly joined Tottenham Hotspur in the race for Almeria’s star Umar Sadiq.

According to a report from Fichajes, Newcastle will look to bolster their struggling attack with the signing of the Nigerian forward, who is valued at around €25 million.

The Geordies have managed just 12 goals in 11 English Premier League games this term and deservedly sit second from bottom on the table.

But the recent acquisition by oil-rich owners have seen Newcastle bring in new manager Eddie Howe, with the club expected to make a few quality signings during the January transfer window. Sadiq is one of those that have emerged as an ideal option for the English side.

After spells at AS Roma, Torino, Bologna, and Rangers, the Kaduna-born forward’s breakthrough arrived at Partizan Belgrade, where he impressively scored 23 goals in 52 appearances.

Sadiq’s time at Almeria, a team he joined for just €5 million last year, has been even more remarkable. The former Nigerian youth international has notched 29 goals and added 13 assists in 58 competitive games for La Union. 

Almeria may not be willing to let go of Sadiq at the season’s midway point, with the Spanish side currently sitting top of the Segunda Division aided by the 24-year-old’s seven goals in 15 games.

It would, however, be hard to resist the interest of Newcastle, who would find no trouble coughing out the €25 million Almeria want for the Nigerian. And a transfer race could be around the corner with Sadiq having previously been linked to English rivals Tottenham.

Bayern Munich and Manchester City also once held interests in the striker who won a bronze medal for Nigeria at the 2016 Rio Olympics.