Valencia have reportedly decided against signing Super Eagles striker Umar Sadiq on a permanent basis, despite his solid contributions since arriving on loan in January.
Sadiq joined Los Che from Real Sociedad on a six-month deal and has enjoyed a notable resurgence at the Mestalla.
Prior to his loan switch, the 28-year-old had endured a difficult spell at La Real, largely due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury that derailed his momentum and left him struggling for form across two seasons.
However, the Nigerian forward has shown flashes of his old self since the turn of the year.
He has netted six goals in 19 La Liga appearances, helping Valencia steer clear of relegation fears and bringing some much-needed spark to their attack.
Given his revival, there were initial hopes that Valencia might retain him beyond the current campaign.
But according to reports from Marca, the Spanish club has opted not to activate the €9 million purchase option included in the loan agreement.
Financial limitations and shifting priorities have been cited as the main reasons behind the decision.
Valencia already paid a €500,000 loan fee to Real Sociedad in January and covered Sadiq’s full salary during the loan stint.
With a limited budget ahead of the summer window, the club is choosing to invest in other areas.
A return to Sociedad is still a possibility, the situation there is evolving as manager Imanol Alguacil is set to depart at the end of the season, which could open the door for Sadiq under a new head coach.
Whether he stays in Spain or opts for a lucrative move abroad potentially to Qatar, Sadiq’s next step will be crucial as he enters the latter stages of his career.
