Samuel Omorodion, who scored nine goals in 30 games for Alaves in his debut season in Spanish LaLiga, is expected to join Atletico Madrid's first squad next season, unless there is a last-minute alteration, according to TalkTalk Nigeria Sports Extra.

Atletico have great hopes for the 19-year-old they signed last summer, and the expectation is that he will be a valuable addition to Diego Simeone's side next season, especially with Alvaro Morata, Angel Correa, and Memphis Depay all linked with moves elsewhere.

Omorodion's ascension has been one of the season's most stunning stories, following the 19-year-old forward's loan move to Alaves from Atletico, who activated his €6 million release clause to sign him from Granada.

While many in Spanish football believe 'Samu', as Omorodion is affectionately known, is ready for the next level, Los Rojiblancos administrators remain skeptical.

They believe the youthful striker is not yet ready for Simeone's first-team squad, but Simeone disagrees.

"Samu will have the chance to prove himself," Simeone told Mundo Deportivo. "The aim is to include him in Atletico Madrid's pre-season squad, and if he continues to impress, he may earn a permanent spot.

"It's not fair to talk about a guy (Omorodion) who isn't here; his work speaks for itself, and we can talk about it more at the end of the season. He's in another place, and I respect where he is."

Meanwhile, despite a bid of €45 million from a Premier League team for Omorodion, Atletico maintains its valuation of the talented striker, demanding payment of his €90 million release clause, reports Diario AS.
Omorodion will want to break his seven-game goal drought when Alave visit Celta Vigo in a LaLiga match on Saturday.

He is presently tied with former Nigerian striker Christopher Ohenhen for the most goals scored in his first season in La Liga.

Ohenhen scored nine league goals in 19 appearances for SD Compostela during his debut LaLiga season in 1994/95.

Omorodion will also be looking to break the record for most goals scored by a player of Nigerian ethnicity in LaLiga history against Celta.

In the past, Nigerian players Ikechukwu Uche and Obafemi Martins came close to accomplishing the feat.

Uche made his LaLiga debut with Recreativo Huelva in 2006/07, scoring eight goals and one assist in 31 appearances.

Uche went on to score 43 goals and 42 assists throughout 194 LaLiga games for Granada, Villarreal, Real Zaragoza, and Getafe.

Martins, who was on loan from Seattle Sounders to Levante for the 2012/13 season, scored seven goals and assisted three times in 21 games for Los Azulgranas.