Revealed: How Valencia Plan to Sign Umar Sadiq on Permanent Deal

Valencia are planning to sign Nigerian striker Umar Sadiq from Real Sociedad on a permanent deal. To help manage their ongoing financial issues, the club is working on a smart payment plan to spread out the cost of the transfer.

Sadiq, 28, joined Valencia on loan in January, with an option to make the move permanent at the end of the season. However, due to Valencia’s financial troubles, paying Real Sociedad’s €10m (£8.5m) asking price all at once would be difficult.

To make the deal more affordable, Valencia are proposing to pay the €10m in five equal instalments of €2m each, spread over four years, starting this summer. This plan would help the club reinforce their squad while staying within La Liga’s strict financial rules, according to Elgoldigital.

Despite this arrangement, the deal may not please Real Sociedad. They had paid €20m to sign Sadiq from Almeria in 2022 and are hoping to recoup funds quickly. However, they may have little choice but to accept the offer if Valencia decide to activate the purchase option.

There may also be hidden clauses in the loan deal that could increase the total cost of the transfer. Valencia already paid an initial €500,000 loan fee, which will be deducted from the final price if they go ahead with the purchase.

Additionally, Sociedad could earn €1m in performance-related bonuses. This includes €500,000 if Sadiq plays more than 60% of the minutes from matchday 19 onwards, and another €500,000 if Valencia avoid relegation.

If all clauses are met, the total cost could rise to €11m, but Valencia will likely pay €10.5m, including the initial loan fee.

After struggling at Real Sociedad due to a long-term injury, Sadiq has shown his best form at Valencia. Since arriving at Mestalla, he has scored three goals in six La Liga appearances, helping the club in their battle against relegation.

His recent performances have also caught the attention of Nigeria’s national team coach, Eric Chelle. Sadiq has been named in Chelle’s provisional 39-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.

Although he faces tough competition for a spot in the final squad, this call-up is an important step in Sadiq’s return to the Super Eagles.