Many pressing questions will be asked by Rangers fans regarding this one, but Darren Bent signing means what for Umar Sadiq?
The English international has expressed a strong interest to sign for Rangers. Stating that he was “100% interested” in joining Steven Gerrard’s, Rangers could make the move for the former Fulham man.
Yet, there are a couple of sub-plots to take into consideration with this one. Primarily, what would it mean for on-loan Roma man Sadiq?
Let’s not kid ourselves, Sadiq arrived with much promise and was thought to be worth the hype. The forward was a success in Holland, and the fact he was on the books at Roma was impressive enough.
But we haven’t seen anything as of yet to make us believe this is a successful Gerrard signing. Signing Bent would instantly put him above Sadiq in the pecking order – it simply has to.
Therefore, would it be an admission from the manager that he got it wrong in signing the Roma front-man? There’s no shame in it, loan deals are risk-free and nothing to be ashamed of if they don’t work out.
Where would Sadiq fit?
But you have to wonder where the Nigerian forward would fit in if he had Bent also occupying a spot ahead of him. The big striker already has enough on his plate trying do deal with the in-form Kyle Lafferty and Alfredo Morelos.
Fortunately, if Gerrard goes with two up front, that could see an opening for the Nigerian should Bent sign. Sadiq would pretty much be in the same position he was beforehand. The only problem is, the chances of two strikers being either injured or suspended is unlikely.
So far, the signing of Sadiq hasn’t worked out. Even acquiring Lafferty could’ve been a nod to that fact. But signing Bent would be an even bigger kick in the teeth to Nigerian Sadiq.
You can’t deny Bent’s pedigree. He was a consistent English Premier League player, and scored a total of 216 goals in a 17-year career in England.
At 34 years of age, Bent is on his last hurrah. Signing him would probably be shrewd from Gerrard, but whether he needs him is another story.
In the mean-time, Sadiq will continue to be an unknown commodity, as we still await a glimpse of his abilities.