January 7, 2026
[Real Sociedad] Sadiq to Join Valencia Permanently — Fresh Start on a €3m Deal
Umar Sadiq (28), the Nigerian international striker currently at Real Sociedad, is closing in on a permanent move to Valencia.
Once signed by Sociedad for a then club-record fee of roughly €18m (converted from yen), the big forward never truly settled in San Sebastián due to injuries and poor form. Now, he looks set to leave that chapter behind and return to the club where he last looked like himself.
How the Deal Came Together: A One-Year “Mutual Crush” Finally Pays Off
There’s history between Sadiq and Valencia.
Last season’s “saviour” spell:
In January 2025, Sadiq joined Valencia on a six-month loan from Sociedad. With the club stuck in the relegation zone, he delivered 6 goals in 19 competitive matches, playing a major role in keeping them up.
Talks, collapse, restart:
Valencia wanted to keep him last summer, but negotiations broke down over Sociedad’s asking price. This season, with Sadiq limited to 7 appearances and zero goals, talks restarted — and this time, a deal looks imminent.
Deal Details
Type: Permanent transfer (a U-turn from last summer’s loan plan)
Fee: €3m + bonuses
Contract: Long-term deal until summer 2028
Valencia: A Lifeline to Escape the Drop
Valencia currently sit 18th in La Liga, once again inside the relegation zone.
Fixing the scoring issue:
Head coach Carlos Corberán sees Sadiq — familiar with last season’s squad and adored by Mestalla fans — as the final piece in the survival puzzle.
Sociedad’s side of things:
For Sociedad, selling a high-wage striker who’s fallen out of favour frees up funds for winter reinforcements.
SNS Fan Reactions
696: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/06 20:35
You can’t judge everything off one match,
but Sadiq and Sucic never really climbed the pecking order either.
745: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 08:37
>>696
You’d think Sadiq could use that physique better.
Looks powerful, but he’s actually a feet-first type who hates contact lol.
719: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 04:44
Looks like Sadiq is being sold.
No idea how reliable the info is though.
720: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 04:56
Seeing it everywhere now — feels basically confirmed.
And Caricaburu too.
765: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 11:07
>>720
Him leaving was inevitable anyway.
Just a matter of time.
721: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 05:18
With Oyarzabal, Oskarsson back, and Guedes able to play CF,
he’s not really needed lol.
722: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 06:32
Even if you can rotate Oyarzabal, Oskarsson, and Guedes,
selling two CFs at once is bold.
Must be in serious financial trouble.
Or are they just pulling kids up from Sanse?
766: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 11:09
>>722
Guedes can cover RW too,
so Oskarsson staying fit is absolutely crucial.
747: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 08:39
Sadiq just never clicked here.
Honestly, he might’ve been happier staying in the second division.
796: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 12:06
If they’re even selling Caricaburu,
are they really fine at No.9?
Barrenetxea is injury-prone, Zakharyan is rarely available —
attack depth feels thin.
802: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 12:24
>>796
Either they think they can wing it,
or they’re genuinely broke.
807: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 12:34
>>796
CFs like Caricaburu or Calfel just aren’t that appealing anyway.
Same with Tsar — tall, but sluggish everywhere else.
No idea why he was signed.
Might finally be a chance for Kita, though.
812: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/07 13:27
Feels like Sucic is being sold too.
With that little technique, Spain was always a bad fit.
Germany might suit him better with more space.
