Super Eagles striker Umar Sadiq is likely to miss Valencia’s La Liga clash against his parent club Real Sociedad on Sunday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Valencia manager Carlos Corberán had opted to start the Nigerian in Tuesday’s Copa del Rey Round of 16 tie against Ourense, amid growing uncertainty over his availability for the weekend’s league fixture.
The 27-year-old’s loan agreement with Valencia includes a clause requiring the club to pay €300,000 for him to face Sociedad, a fee Los Che are reportedly unwilling to pay.
Since joining Valencia last weekend, Sadiq has shown promising signs, impressing in his debut during their 2-0 Copa del Rey victory over Eldense, where he played 32 minutes and registered two shots on target.
“From day one he has come with the necessary attitude and mentality to play for Valencia CF,” Corberán said after his debut.
The former Roma Academy graduate endured a challenging spell at Sociedad this season, making just six appearances and playing only 205 minutes from a possible 1,260.
Valencia secured Sadiq’s services with a €1m loan fee and have the option to make the deal permanent for €10m in the summer, with potential add-ons taking the figure to €12m depending on variables.
“I needed a game like this, I want to give it continuity, because unfortunately I hadn’t scored for a year and I want to change that, because I want to be an important player at Valencia,” Sadiq said after his debut.
The striker’s anticipated absence on Sunday comes as relief for Sociedad supporters, who may have feared the ‘curse of the former player’ might see him end his goal drought against his parent club.