Exclusive: Newcastle not interested in Sadiq Umar despite reports

Following widespread rumours in British and local newspapers that Newcastle are preparing an offer for Nigerian sensation Sadiq Umar, ZonalSports can disclose exclusively that these rumors are wide off the mark.

Sadiq Umar, who scored 20 league goals in 2018/19, has been on sizzling hot form since leaving Roma permanently in 2019/20. The 24-year-old scored 17 goals and provided 17 assists for FK Partizan in Serbia before obtaining a transfer to Almeria of La Liga 2 in 2020.

Last year, he established himself as one of the hottest assets in lower league football by scoring 28 goals and assisting 9 others across all competitions. This season, he has bettered that tally by scoring 18 goals and assisting 12 in 36 games for Almeria, propelling them to the top of the Segunda Divsion and a near-certain promotion.

On the heels of being recognised by analysts as La Liga 2's greatest scorer, reports have been circulating that Newcastle and their newly acquired wealth are preparing an offer for the former Olympic star.

This story, initially reported by Fichajes in January, has been retold by MSN, theHardTackle, TheSun UK, SportWitness, and a number of other Nigerian news outlets. However, inside sources and a comprehensive examination by ZonalSports have proven the news to be transfer rumours, at least for the time being.

Sevilla, Getafe, Betis and Krasnodar are known to have indicated genuine interest in LaLiga 2's most productive player, but none have met Almeria's transfer valuation.

Clubs who showed interest in January were shown the door by Almeria, who were not interested in selling the player mid-season, as it would have jeopardised their aim to return to the top flight. The Rojiblancos are now two points ahead of their closest competition, Eibar, with 2 games left to play in the regular season.