Valencia coach Carlos Corberán is open to paying €300,000 to field Super Eagles striker Umar Sadiq against his parent club Real Sociedad this weekend, despite concerns over the player’s fitness, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The 27-year-old, who joined Valencia on loan for €1m with a €10m option to buy, scored on his return to action in their Copa del Rey victory over Ourense on Tuesday.
However, Corberán revealed that Sadiq is currently struggling with a knee problem that could affect his availability for Sunday’s La Liga clash.
“He has discomfort in the back of his knee and has not been able to train with the rest of his teammates. First, it is necessary to see his physical availability and then the club’s availability to exercise the clause,” Corberán said.
The Spanish coach had earlier praised Sadiq’s impact following his goal-scoring debut for Los Che.
“Have you seen how close he gets to goal? He has made an individual action by getting an important goal and that goal will surely give him confidence to score many more,” he added.
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.
“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 breaking his goal drought.
Valencia secured the Nigerian’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.