Juventus, Rennais, Al Ahli at alert as Super Eagles star makes Golden Shoe push

Super Eagles striker Paul Onuachu is enjoying one of the best seasons of his career at Trabzonspor, and it could spark interest in him across Europe this summer, Afrik-Foot reports.

The 31-year-old forward has turned into the Turkish club’s main attacking force, scoring goals regularly and leading the line with confidence.

So far in the 2025/26 season, Onuachu has scored 21 league goals in 24 matches, with two assists added to his tally. Across all competitions, he has reached 23 goals. That means he is directly involved in a goal roughly every 84 minutes, a strong return for any striker. His impact has been even more impressive when you consider his unique style of play.

Standing at 6ft 7in, Onuachu uses his height to great advantage. Eight of his league goals have come from headers, showing how dangerous he is in the air. His physical strength and positioning make him very difficult for defenders to handle, especially in teams that play crosses into the box.

One of his biggest achievements this season is his incredible scoring run. He became the first Trabzonspor player since 1992 to score in 10 consecutive matches in all competitions. That consistency has helped keep the club in the race for a top-three finish and possible silverware.

His form has also pushed him into the race for the European Golden Shoe. As of March 2026, Onuachu sits in 10th place with 21 league goals, which gives him 31.5 points due to the Turkish league’s 1.5 scoring coefficient.

He is behind players like Harry Kane, who leads the race with 31 goals (62 points), Kylian Mbappé with 23 goals, and Erling Haaland with 22. These players benefit from playing in Europe’s top five leagues, where goals are worth more points.

Still, Onuachu’s achievement is significant. He has managed to stay among Europe’s top scorers despite playing in a league with a lower ranking. Earlier in the season, he even became the first African player to reach 20 league goals across Europe’s major competitions in this campaign.

Paul Onuachu: Transfer race set to begin for free-scoring Super Eagles striker

Onuachu’s performances have brought him back into the transfer spotlight, with several clubs likely to monitor his situation ahead of the summer window.

Teams such as Juventus, Stade Rennais, and Al Ahli have previously placed Onuachu on their transfer shortlist and it is possible some are still keeping a close eye on him. These clubs had shown interest in the past, and his current form could push them to act more seriously this time.

Unlike before, Onuachu is now a permanent Trabzonspor player. He signed a long-term deal in 2025 after joining from Southampton. This means any club that wants him will have to negotiate directly with the Turkish side and pay a transfer fee.

His time in England remains a concern for some clubs. At Southampton, he struggled to adapt and scored just four goals in 40 appearances. That record may make top clubs cautious, especially those in faster and more technical leagues.

However, there is also a clear explanation for that struggle. Onuachu performs best in systems that use crosses and wide play, like the one at Trabzonspor. In the right tactical setup, he becomes a powerful and reliable goalscorer.

At 31, he is not a long-term investment, but he offers immediate impact. His market value is relatively low compared to top strikers, making him an attractive option for clubs looking for experience and physical presence in attack.

There is also growing interest from Saudi Arabia, where clubs can offer higher wages. A move to Al Ahli, for example, could provide both financial reward and a leading role in their attack.

As the season enters its final weeks, Onuachu has two big goals: to keep scoring for Trabzonspor and to finish as high as possible in the Golden Shoe rankings.