Valencia consider January move for Sadiq Umar, but AFCON duty complicates switch

By Dayo Awoniyi

Valencia CF are exploring a January move for Nigerian striker Sadiq Umar, but uncertainty over his potential involvement in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco is casting doubt on the deal.

According to AS, the La Liga side are looking to bolster their attack ahead of the second half of the season and have identified Sadiq as one of their priority targets. The Real Sociedad forward fits the profile manager Rubén Baraja is seeking,  tall, mobile, technically gifted, and tactically intelligent.

However, with AFCON set to kick off next month, Sadiq is widely expected to receive a call-up from Nigeria, which could rule him out for several weeks during a critical period in Valencia’s campaign. The Spanish outlet described this potential absence as a “negative” factor in negotiations.

Sadiq’s AFCON past adds an additional twist. The striker was forced to miss the delayed 2023 edition in Côte d’Ivoire after suffering a knee injury just before the tournament, a blow that denied Nigeria a key attacking option.

Now fully fit and working his way back to form, he is once again in strong contention for national selection — a development that paradoxically complicates his club future.

Valencia’s pursuit comes amid persistent struggles in front of goal, prompting Baraja to push for reliable attacking reinforcements in the winter window. Sadiq’s ball retention, movement, and ability to exploit space make him an attractive option.

Still, the risk of losing him to AFCON for up to a month could push the club to consider alternatives who would remain available throughout the busy winter stretch.

As the transfer window draws closer, Sadiq’s case underscores the perennial challenge for European clubs navigating mid-season plans around Africa’s flagship tournament, a factor that continues to shape transfer strategies and player valuations.

Whether Valencia decide to take the risk or pivot to a more convenient option should become clearer in the coming weeks.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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