Ghanaian central defender Mohammed Umar, who joined Poli Iași in October 2024 as a free agent, will continue with the Romanian SuperLiga club despite interest from several other teams. After experiencing relegation with Poli Iași, Umar attracted attention from notable Romanian clubs including Dinamo, Petrolul, and Rapid. However, Poli Iași has decided not to entertain transfer offers this summer, as none have met the club’s expectations.
Poli Iași president Cornel Șfaițer confirmed the club’s stance, stating that Umar’s departure is not being considered at the moment: *“Umar will continue with us, that’s not up for discussion. I’ve spoken with the staff and agreed on this. So far, nothing concrete has come from the talks we’ve had. For now, I don’t want to discuss him further; maybe in winter. We hope he stays healthy and continues to play.”* Umar’s contract with Poli Iași runs through summer 2026, providing stability for the club’s defensive line.
The 22-year-old defender made 15 appearances last season for Poli Iași, scoring once, and has also been included in an expanded national team squad thanks to his club performances. His market value is estimated at around €250,000 by Transfermarkt, reflecting his potential and growing reputation.
Highlighting Umar’s rising profile, Dutch side Feyenoord, UEFA Conference League finalists in 2022, reportedly sent scouts to monitor him during a SuperLiga match against Botoșani in spring 2024. This interest suggests Umar could attract European attention if he maintains his form.
Umar’s commitment to Poli Iași marks a strategic decision for the club to build around a promising defender as they aim to return to Romania’s top flight and strengthen their squad continuity.
*Insight:* Retaining a key defender like Umar could prove crucial for Poli Iași’s ambitions to bounce back strongly in the SuperLiga, potentially positioning him as a future transfer asset.