Latest reports confirm Rangers FC’s interest in AS Roma striker, Umar Sadiq for a loan deal in the upcoming season. The 21-year-old is coming off a loan spell with NAC Breda who also have an option of making his move permanent. Nothing official has come out of the Dutch ranks just yet, giving Steven Gerrard enough time to make a convincing offer.
Sadiq was only a sporadic option at Roma but since his loan switch to Breda in January, the striker found his scoring boots to net the ball 5 times in 12 Eredivisie appearances.
He has only ever managed 6 appearances for the Roma senior side during his 18 months stay at the Stadio Olimpico. With Edin Dzeko, Patrik Schick and Gregoire Defrel in the squad it is unlikely for Sadiq to be more involved with the first team on his return from loan.
Rangers will be able to offer a better home to the Nigerian forward who has 6 U23 caps for his country in which he has scored 4 times, helping his team to the Bronze medal in the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Gerrard currently only has Alfredo Morelos in the striker role. Jason Cummings has returned to Nottingham Forest after the completion of his loan spell and Kenny Miller is no longer on the club’s wage books.
Eduardo Herrera has proven to be a bad investment and has already been told to find a new club. Gerrard will require more able heads in his team to lead the club’s offensive line.
Morelos struck the back of the net 18 times in 46 games last term to cement his spot as the starting centre-forward. The Colombian was attracting interest from plenty of European and Chinese outfits but later decided to extend his contract with the Light Blues.
Gerrard has been tasked with re-establishing the Ibrox club into a title-winning side in the upcoming season. The 38-year-old has been working around the club to assemble the right players before the 2018/19 season commences.
He has already signed Scott Arfield, Alan McGregor, Jamie Murphy and Ovie Ejaria since his appointment as the head coach. Sadiq could turn out to be another quality hire without spending an extraordinary amount.
The 21-year-old has scoring potential, as evident from his 23-goal tally in 32 senior games for Spezia Primavera. He also netted 12 times in 10 games for the Roma reserves and 5 times in 9 games for the U19 side.
Standing at 6 feet 4 inches tall, he will add a different dynamic to the striking role that Morelos does not possess, which is aerial dominance.
Read More: Rangers Ready To Part Ways With 27 Y/O Controversial Forward: The Right Move By Gerrard?
Gerard could end up with a power duo in his hands if Sadiq hits the ground running on his arrival at the Ibrox.
