Southampton striker Paul Onuachu could sign permanently for Trabzonspor at the end of the season after joining the Turkish outfit on loan for the remainder of the campaign, according to the latest reports.
Onuachu moved to the St. Mary’s Stadium back in February for a whopping £18.6 million under former manager Nathan Jones to help save the Saints from relegation to the Championship.
The centre-forward came to English football with a great reputation, having bagged 85 goals in 134 games in Belgium, including 35 during the 2020/21 season as Genk lifted the league title.
Unfortunately, the Nigerian’s time on the south coast was disastrous as Onuachu failed to score a single goal for the club in 12 appearances in all competitions for Southampton and the club were relegated anyway.
After featuring once under Russell Martin this term, Southampton agreed to allow Onuachu to move to Trabzonspor in Turkey on loan until the end of the season.
Onuachu has hit the ground running with the Burgundy Blues, scoring six goals in eight appearances as Trabzonspor are sitting fourth in the Turkish Super Lig table, nine points behind league-leaders Fenerbahce.
According to the Sabah Newspaper, via NTV, Trabzonspor are keen to sign Onuachu permanently at the end of the 2023/24 campaign amid his excellent form for the club.
The outlet have also reported that Trabzonspor tried to place a £13.1 million option to buy clause in the centre-forward’s contract but Southampton refused to agree to this term.
Writer’s View
It seems strange that Southampton refused to add an option-to-buy clause into the player’s contract unless the club still have plans for Onuachu beyond this season.
However, perhaps the hierarchy are not willing to make a hefty loss on the player just yet considering he still has a little less than three years remaining on his current deal.
Deputy Head of Writing
