Sports News of Sunday, 25 May 2025

Source: www.soccernet.ng

Real Sociedad line up summer swoop for Nigerian star

Christantus Uche Christantus Uche

Nigeria and Getafe midfielder Christantus Uche is attracting serious interest from Real Sociedad after an outstanding debut season in La Liga — with the Basque club preparing a renewed push to finally land their long-time target, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 22-year-old midfielder has enjoyed a breakout campaign in Spain’s top flight, clocking up 2,504 minutes across 33 league appearances for Getafe.

Uche registered four goals and six assists, including a decisive strike against Mallorca on May 18 that sealed the Madrid club’s top-flight survival.

Uche’s consistency and dynamism in midfield have not gone unnoticed.

Real Sociedad line up summer swoop for Nigeria’s Uche
Sources close to Real Sociedad say the club’s sporting director, Roberto Olabe, remains determined to bring the player to San Sebastián after two failed attempts. Olabe had previously approached Getafe during the last summer and winter transfer windows, but the club rejected both advances.

Real Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay is understood to have given Olabe the go-ahead for another attempt this summer — with the hope of completing the deal before Olabe steps down from his post. However, any move will require negotiating with Getafe, who remain reluctant to part with their midfield star.

Uche is under contract at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez until 2028 and has a €25 million release clause, which Getafe are reportedly unwilling to compromise on.

Club president Ángel Torres is keen to retain the midfielder, especially with his value expected to rise next season. Uche’s stock has soared following his role in securing Getafe’s safety, and the club sees him as a central figure moving forward.

Olabe, meanwhile, is weighing different options to meet the asking price — including a structured deal or possible player swaps — but Getafe’s firm stance could make negotiations difficult.

Uche has become a key figure at Getafe since joining from Ceuta in July 2024, where he made 36 league appearances in Spain’s third tier. He made a dream La Liga debut on August 15, 2024, scoring against Athletic Club at just 21 years old.

This season, he has started 30 of Getafe’s 38 matches and came off the bench three times. He last featured in the 2-1 defeat to Celta Vigo on May 24, providing an assist despite the result.

Now, Uche is on the verge of another milestone — an international debut. The young midfielder is set to make his Super Eagles bow when Nigeria face Ghana in the upcoming Unity Cup.