Samuel Omorodion, who scored an impressive nine goals in 30 games for Alaves in his debut season in Spanish LaLiga, is expected to join Atletico Madrid’s first team for the upcoming season, unless there are any unexpected developments.
Atletico has great expectations for the 19-year-old they acquired last summer. It is anticipated that he will make a valuable contribution to Diego Simeone’s squad for the upcoming season, particularly considering the potential departures of Alvaro Morata, Angel Correa, and Memphis Depay.
Omorodion’s rise has been nothing short of spectacular this season. Born in Spain to Nigerian parents, the 19-year-old forward made a loan move to Alaves from Atletico after his €6m release clause was activated by Los Rojiblancos to sign him from Granada.
Although there is a strong belief among many in Spanish football that Omorodion, affectionately called ‘Samu’, is prepared for the next level, officials of Los Rojiblancos have their doubts.
There is a difference in opinion regarding the young striker’s readiness to join Simeone’s first-team squad. Simeone holds a different belief.
Simeone expressed his belief in Samu’s opportunity to showcase his abilities, as he stated to Mundo Deportivo. It is anticipated that he will be included in Atletico Madrid’s pre-season squad, and if he maintains his impressive performance, he may earn a permanent spot.
“It’s unjust to discuss someone (Omorodion) who is not present. The quality of his work speaks for itself, and we can delve into further details at the end of the season.” He’s in a different place, and I deeply admire his current position.
According to Diario AS, Atletico Madrid is standing firm on their valuation of the promising striker Omorodion, despite a €45m bid from a Premier League club. They are insisting on the payment of his €90m release clause.
Omorodion will be looking to break his seven-game goalless streak as Alave takes on Celta Vigo in a La Liga match this Saturday.
He has matched the goal-scoring record of former Nigerian striker, Christopher Ohenhen, for a debut season in La Liga.
Ohenhen had an impressive debut season in La Liga for SD Compostela, scoring nine league goals in just 19 games during the 1994/95 season.
Omorodion has the opportunity to create a historic moment in La Liga by surpassing the record for the most goals scored by a Nigerian player. His performance against Celta will be closely watched.
Ikechukwu Uche and Obafemi Martins, both Nigerian players, came tantalizingly close to achieving the feat in the past.
Uche had an impressive debut season in La Liga with Recreativo Huelva during the 2006/07 season. He managed to score eight goals and provide one assist in 31 games.
Uche’s impressive record includes 43 goals and 42 assists in 194 La Liga games, where he played for Granada, Villarreal, Real Zaragoza, and Getafe.
Martins, who had a loan spell at Levante from Seattle Sounders in the 2012/13 season, had an impressive record of seven goals and three assists in 21 games for Los Azulgranas.