When UD Almeria sold star striker Darwin Nunez to Benfica after suffering a heartbreaking defeat in the Segunda play-offs, the ambitious second-tier outfit may have thought their La Liga dreams were over.
But, thanks to the relentless goalscoring of a one-time Rangers flop, no-one at the Estadio de los Juegos is mourning Nunez’s £24 million departure any more.
With 11 strikes in 21 games, 19 in all competitions, Umar Sadiq should comfortably exceed the tally set by Nunez at Almeria.
The journeyman striker has found a home after a series of short-term loan spells – including a hugely forgettable half-season stint at Ibrox best remembered for a desperate drive against Aberdeen in a Scottish Cup defeat.
But Sadiq, like Nunez before him, may not be sticking around for long, even if Almeria do right the wrongs of last term and secure their place in La Liga at last.
According to El Gol Digital, Europa League winners Sevilla are expected to make a bid for the former Roma youngster at the end of the season.
Sevilla’s esteemed sporting director Monchi is famed across Europe for his ability to unearth diamonds in the rough, replacing departed stars with up-and-coming prospects.
And with La Liga sensation Youssef En-Nesyri attracting interest from West Ham United, Sadiq may soon be offered the opportunity to prove he can replicate his second-tier heroics against the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico.
In 2018, when asked what a young Sadiq needed to improve to force his way into the Rangers XI, Gerrard was unequivocal in his response.
With 29 goals to his name since the start of last season, it’s fair to say Sadiq has done what Gerrard asked – albeit away from Ibrox.
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