Sadiki says goodbye to teammates as £1.7m+ compensation emerges in Sunderland deal
Sunderland are on the verge of completing a deal for Union Saint-Gilloise midfielder Noah Sadiki.
The DR Congo international enjoyed a superb season for Sebastien Pocognoli’s team as they ended a 90-year wait for a league title by beating Gent 3-1 on the final day.
Sadiki is expected to join Sunderland imminently, as they prepare for their returning season in the Premier League.
Sadiki gives Union goodbye
A tough but technical footballer, Sadiki can often be spotted shrugging off his man, before nutmegging the next.
With a low centre of gravity, the 20-year-old shows an innate ability to keep the ball at his feet, throwing off opposing pressure at will.
Sadiki also possesses a keen eye for a line-breaking pass, easily capable of finding teammates bursting in and behind the defence.
The youngster could well find himself paired in midfield with Habib Diarra, who Sunderland announced had signed for a club record fee of £30million on Tuesday (1 July).
The two will go some way to replacing Jobe Bellingham, who left the Black Cats for Borussia Dortmund last month.
With an agreement in place between Sunderland and Union, Sadiki visited the Belgian club on Tuesday to say goodbye to his soon-to-be former teammates, according to Gaze van Antwerpen Stad en Rand (page 23, July 3).
The English club will pay around £14.6m for the midfielder, who has already completed a medical.
Anderlecht are also set to benefit, according to the report, with the Purple and White having a sell-on clause which should see them scoop around £1.7m from the deal.
Sunderland are moving with purpose
Sunderland were likely early favourites to go straight back down following their play-off final victory over Sheffield United.
The Black Cats had finished 24 points behind their fellow promoted clubs in the Championship, and have not played Premier League football for eight years.
However, their ambitious intentions in the transfer market may convince some to rethink their early assumptions.
With Diarra and Enzo Le Fee already signed, and Sadiki soon to follow, Sunderland look set to hand Regis Le Bris with a squad capable of competition.
With further links to Matteo Guendouzi and Djordje Petrovic emerging, fans of the returning North-East giant will be pleased to see no end to the transfer activity.
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