“He’s captivating and goal-hungry” – Benfica urged to sign highly-rated Super Eagles star

One of Nigeria’s most valuable players in Spain has won the hearts of many across Europe with his committed style

Portuguese football expert Óscar Botelho has confirmed he is a big fan of Super Eagles and Almeria striker Umar Sadiq.

And the respected analyst has called on Primeira Lig giants Benfica to waste no time in sealing a deal for the Nigerian international.

Benfica has been credited with a strong interest in Umar Sadiq since the Eagles allowed key forward Darwin Núñez to leave for Anfield to join Liverpool.

But the 25-year-old is not short of suitors following a fine one-and-a-half-year spell at Almeria, where he has notched 41 goals and 19 assists in 81 appearances.

Ajax are reportedly in the hunt for Sadiq’s signature, while Villarreal are also looking to pounce should star forward Arnaut Danjuma complete a proposed move to the Premier League.

And respected football commentator Óscar Botelho believes whoever gets Sadiq is signing a top striker of unquestionable quality.

“Sadiq is a great forward, an exciting, captivating, and goal-hungry player,” Botelho told TSF.

“His name should be fixed because he is a striker that will catapult his name even more.

“We’re talking about a striker over 1.90 centimeters tall who doesn’t give a damn.”

After Núñez’s departure to England, Benfica are set to lose another forward in Gonçalo Ramos. Ramos is reportedly on the radar of AS Roma, with Jose Mourinho looking to lure the Portugal youth international to Italy.

Botelho, however, urges Benfica to keep up their chase for Sadiq even if Ramos remains at the Estádio da Luz, as he could be paired with the Super Eagles striker.

Botelho added: “They are two very different players, and Benfica could be well served with both because they could complement each other.”

Sadiq finished as the second-highest scorer in the Spanish Segunda Division with 18 goals which were crucial to helping Almeria gain promotion to La Liga.