When I get into conversations about Sadiq Umar on how well he is doing in the Serbian league – where he has scored 16 goals and provided 12 assists across 30 matches – I get the same response: he should first go and do it in a high profile league.
Should this move to Napoli who have reportedly tabled a bid of €12 million (approximately £10.2 million), see the light of day, this will be a game-changer
All of a sudden, Sadiq Umar will be playing in a world class league which will raise his profile exponentially.
Actually, the 2016 Olympic football ace is not new to Seria A, after
all, he was team mates of Mohammed Salah in his parent club of Roma.
But, he failed to make any meaningful impact in Italy despite many loan moves to Seria B clubs like Bologna, Torino and Perugia.
However, such is the massive progress and improvements that Sadiq has made in Serbia that the expectations now is that he is capable of performing well at a high level of football.
Perhaps, the Kaduna born striker has come of age.
This is neither the Same Sadiq that was lukewarm for many Italian clubs nor the one thar failed spectacularly in Rangers club of Scotland (where he made only 1 start and failed to score across several months).
This is a striker who caused mighty Manchester United problems in the Europa League; a striker who has proven beyond reasonable doubt that he is a level above the modest Serbian league with weekly stellar performances.
For now, fans believe it is inappropriate to compare him with Osimhen.
However, If Umar signs, starts to play and scores for Napoli, the basis for comparison will surely come to light.
And Nigeria will have quality options of strikers.
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