Real Sociedad chief makes huge statement on Umar Sadiq’s future

Sadiq Umar spent the final five months of the 2024/2025 La Liga season on loan with Valencia…

Real Sociedad President Jokin Aperribay has revealed he's not averse to allowing Super Eagles striker Sadiq Umar to remain at the club, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 28-year-old joined Txuri-Urdin from UD Almeria in 2022 for a fee of €18m, but has struggled to justify the price tag.

A cruciate ligament injury marred his first season in San Sebastian, and he's never become a central figure in attack for Sociedad since then.

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In a bid to revive his career, the Nigerian forward joined a relegation-threatened Valencia side on a six-month loan and scored six goals in his time there.

However, Carlos Corberan's side opted against activating the €10m buy clause in the deal, meaning Sadiq returned to Sociedad.

What Jokin Aperribay said about Sadiq‘s future 

The former Rangers man has a contract with Real Sociedad until the summer of 2028, but wants the assurance of playing time at Anoeta Stadium.

If that isn't promised, he's open to seeking that elsewhere, but the club's president mentioned a form of pact can be reached with all parties involved.

“The information I have from Sadiq is that he has trained very well, like the whole group that has stayed in Zubieta,” the 59-year-old said in quotes revealed by Mundo Deportivo.

“Every day, we have spoken to Erik about how Zubieta's sessions were going, and Sadiq is doing very well. We'll see.

“I wouldn't rule out Sadiq being here next season. I think I've been clear, if those players who are in the group of footballers who interest us to come can be done, they will come.

“If not, we feel we have good staff and good players, and we can also achieve the goals with the footballers we have.

“Last year, we weren't that far from the planned goals. The young people come with a lot of fresh air, and I commented on it.

“The best midfielder in the second half of the season was Urko at Espanyol, of the best centre-back was Gorrotxategi.

“We're gonna be calm. We have to see how the coach sees the season, and we will make the relevant decisions.

“We go into important weeks, we have to see how Sergio[Francisco] sees Sadiq, and we will make the decisions depending on what I have said. Those players we want to come can do it, and how we see the players,” Aperribay concluded.

Playing time is of utmost importance for the Olympic bronze medallist as he wants to make Eric Chelle‘s Super Eagles squad for the 2025 AFCON tournament in Morocco.