Umar Sadiq: Almeria make transfer decision on Barcelona, Newcastle target

The Nigerian striker has been the subject of interest from several of Europe's biggest clubs in recent times, including the Spanish and English clubs

Leading striker Umar Sadiq is not available for sale at any price during the January transfer window, UD Almeria's chief executive officer Mohamed El Assy has confirmed.

The Nigerian forward is the most valuable player in the Spanish Segunda Division, following a brilliant debut campaign where he notched 20 league goals.

Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Sevilla, and Getafe were among the clubs linked to the former AS Roma starlet last summer.

And Almeria's CEO El Assy has revealed that the club rejected a big-money move from an unnamed Spanish side for their star player on transfer deadline day.

The transfer rumours failed to unsettle Sadiq, and the Nigerian striker has been terrorising La Liga2 defences with his technique, pace, strength, and finishing.

The Almeria number nine has found the back of the net seven times and added another seven assists in 16 league games to fuel the Red-and-white's charge to the summit of the Segunda table.

His impressive form has caught the eyes of La Liga giants Barcelona and new English money-bags Newcastle, with both sides reportedly preparing a bid for the 192cm-tall forward in January.

But Almeria insists they have no desire to sanction a move for Sadiq, with the Rojiblancos prioritising promotion to the elite division at the end of the season.

According to Estadio Deportivo, when Mohamed El Assy was asked about the interest of clubs like Barcelona in Sadiq ahead of the winter transfer window, the Almería CEO responded: “We want to move up, and we are not going to sell Sadiq in winter.

“On the last market day, we had a great offer for him from a Spanish club, and we didn't want to sell.”

Sadiq's current contract with Almeria will not expire until June 30, 2025.