A disagreement over the valuation of Nigeria international Paul Onuachu seems to be hindering the striker’s permanent move to Trabzonspor.

The Southampton forward is a priority transfer target of the Turkish side, who remain hopeful of turning his loan into a permanent move in the summer.

Onuachu joined Tranzonspor on a season-long loan from the Saints in September 2023 and has quickly established himself as a key player, having contributed nine goals and three assists in the Superlig.

His form has led to the Turkish club already making plans to make his loan move permanent. However, there’s been no headway in the early negotiations despite Tranzonspor manager Abdullah Avcı being keen on working with Onuachu next season.

Avci is said to be a huge fan of the Nigerian and views him as a key addition that will enhance their chances of challenging for the championship next season.

Aboubakar offered to Trabzonspor as Onuachu backup plan

Southampton are reportedly ready to allow Onuachu to leave if a suitable offer comes in despite acquiring the striker just a year ago.

The English outfit completed the signing of the 29-year-old from Belgian giants Genk in a deal that was worth around £18.6 million. However, their union did not go according to plan, with Onuachu unable to stop Southampton from being relegated.

Having recaptured his form since moving to Trabzonspor, Southampton are said to have slapped a €12 million asking price on Onuachu.

According to Fotospor, Trabzonspor are not ready to match the Championship club’s asking price and could only offer a transfer fee in the region of €10 million.

This has opened the doors for a backup to be discussed, with Vincent Aboubakar mooted as an alternative to Onuachu. The Cameroon striker, who is currently on the books of Besiktas, is said to have been offered to Trabzonspor in the wake of the deadlock regarding Onuachu’s transfer.

Fotospor reports that Aboubakar’s representative sent a direct WhatsApp message to Trabzonspor manager Avci asking him: “Would you like to work with Aboubakar? Aboubakar may come to Trabzonspor without a transfer. They have some maximum demands. They want to work with you if they are met.”

Onuachu still has two and a half years left on his contract with Southampton and it remains to be seen if the English side will lower their asking price or if Tranzonspor will raise their offer for the transfer to materialise in the summer.

Onuachu currently unavailable due to injury

Meanwhile, Onuachu is currently recuperating from an injury he suffered during Trabzonspor’s victory over Istanbul Basaksehir in the Turkish topflight in late February.

The former Genk forward was subsequently ruled out for a month after it was later confirmed that he suffered a fracture on his arm. Onuachu’s injury means he’s unable to feature in Nigeria’s upcoming international friendlies against Ghana and Mali.

Onuachu was part of the squad that was selected by Nigeria coach Jose Peseiro for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2024) in the Ivory Coast and made a few substitute appearances as the Super Eagles ended up as losing finalists.

While Nigeria are currently without a head coach after parting ways with Peseiro last month, a 27-man squad has nonetheless been named for the upcoming friendly games.

Onuachu has been left out of the squad, ostensibly due to his injury, with Victor Osimhen leading Nigeria’s attacking options, which also includes Kelechi Iheanacho, Taiwo Awoniyi, Cyriel Dessers.

The Super Eagles will play against Ghana on March 22 in Marrakesh, Morocco, before facing Mali on March 26 as part of their preparations towards the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in June.

Nigeria have a date with rivals South Africa and Benin in the qualifiers.