Return to former club for £18m Southampton ace ruled out with deal not ‘logical’
Amid all the excitement swiring on the South Coast following Southampton’s play-off final victory over Leeds United, there are still a few issues for Russell Martin and co to solve before the Premier League campaign kicks off in August.
There is the Carlos Alcaraz situation to resolve. The Argentine midfielder moved on loan to Juventus in January but did he feature enough to justfiy the Serie A giants stumping up a permanent fee in excess of £40 million?
The likes of Duje Caleta-Car, Lyanco, Romain Perraud and Armel Bella-Kotchap are facing uncertain futures too after returning from loan deals of their own. Then there’s Che Adams; the striker out-of-contract, seemingly on his way, and needing to be replaced.
Adams is certianly not lacking in admirers. Everton and Wolves are among those credited with an interest in the hard-working Scotland forward.
Unfortunately for Southampton, there are not quite so many calls coming in for Paul Onuachu, it seems. Despite netting 17 goals in 25 games for Trabzonspor in 2023/24, the £18 million forgotten man appears unlikely to end up staying in Turkey.
Southampton players facing uncertain futures
Trabzonspor president Ertugrul Dogan revealed recently that Southampton want to recoup around £13 million of their investment.
“It is not currently possible for Trabzonspor to pay a transfer fee of nearly 15 million euros,” Dogan adds. “Which is the club’s expectation for Paul Onuachu.
“We have conveyed our offer regarding (anotehr) loan. We are waiting for an answer.”
Southampton would understandably prefer to sell, of course. But, despite boasting a prolific record everywhere except St Mary’s, finding clubs willing to stump up an eight-figure sum for a 30-year-old, 6ft 7ins centre-forward who would only really fit a few clubs willing to play to his strengths may be easier said than done.
Onuachu scored 85 goals in 134 games for KRC Genk before joining Southampton in January 2023. He was even named Belgium’s Player of the Year in one season, shortly after netting 35 times in a single campaign.
Genk are taking a similar stance to Trabzonspor, however. In an ideal world, they may jump at such an opportunity. But, unless Southampton are willing to drop their demands substantially, Onuachu will once again find himself priced out.
“(Re-signing the Nigeria intenrational) doesn’t seem logical for us financially,” head of football Dimitri de Conde tells Het Laatste Nieuws.
Genk rule themselves out of Paul Onuachu race
Onuachu only played 12 games for Southampton and did not score even once. The well-travelled targetman did admit a few months ago that he would relish the chance to return to St Mary’s if Premier League football was secured.
It seems unlikely he will be afforded such an opportunity, however, with possession-obssessed head coach Russell Martin prefering smaller, more agile options in the forward positions such as Adams and Adam Armstrong.
“Who wouldn’t want to play in the Premier League?,” Onuachu said. “But if it was going to be the same situation I was in there (before)… I wouldn’t want to be there and be in the same situation.
“Now, I’m happy in Trabzonspor. They play according to my strengths and qualities.”
