Paul Onuachu: What happened to Trabzonspor’s goal machine wanted by Fulham?

Super Eagles and Trabzonspor forward Paul Onuachu finished the 2025-26 season as the Turkish Super Lig’s joint-top scorer, Afrik-Foot reports.

Two matches into the new league campaign, the Nigeria international is still searching for his first goal.

The contrast is sharp. Onuachu scored 22 goals in 30 Super Lig appearances last season. He also scored four more times in other competitions, taking his total to 26 goals in 36 games. His goals helped Trabzonspor win the Turkish Cup and finish third in the league. He even scored twice in the 2-1 Turkish Cup final win over Konyaspor in May.

The new season has started differently. Onuachu played 90 minutes in Trabzonspor’s 1-1 draw at Kasımpaşa on August 15. He then played 87 minutes in the 2-1 home win over İstanbul Başakşehir eight days later. He also played 90 minutes in the 0-1 home defeat by Ferencvaros in the Europa League. Across those three games, he has not scored.

That does not mean his form has collapsed. It does mean his start is unusual when compared with the striker who dominated Turkish defences last season.

Three factors behind Onuachu’s slow start

The first possible reason is the transfer noise around him. Haber61’s Haluk Ayyıldız said reports of interest from Saudi Arabia and Fulham may have created uncertainty for the 32-year-old striker. Ayyıldız said a Saudi club offered Onuachu about twice his Trabzonspor salary. He also referred to the Fulham situation, where figures of €26m plus €4m were discussed.

While that does not prove that the transfer talk affected Onuachu’s performances, it may be a possible factor. Repeated discussions about a player’s future can create doubt, even when the player is a professional.

The Saudi interest was not just a rumour without financial weight. Trabzonspor rejected an €11m Saudi bid in June, while later reports said the club wanted €30m for the Nigerian striker.

The second factor is tactical. There are questions about whether Onuachu’s style fits Fatih Tekke’s preferred football. Tekke has not publicly said he has a problem with the striker but the issue is more about the team’s playing style, rather than a personal dispute.

Onuachu’s strengths are clear. At 2.01 metres, he gives Trabzonspor a powerful target in the penalty area and a major threat from crosses and set pieces. Last season, the team used those qualities to turn him into one of the most productive strikers in Turkey.

But Trabzonspor have changed their squad and their approach. New players have arrived, and the change in the team’s structure can affect Onuachu while he adjusts to his new attacking partners.

The third factor is adaptation. Onuachu is not trying to repeat last season with exactly the same team around him. Trabzonspor have invested heavily in new signings headlined by former Liverpool man Mohamed Salah. New arrivals must learn where he wants the ball. He must also learn their movements.

There is, however, one important detail. Onuachu’s effort has not been questioned as the striker worked hard and fought during the Başakşehir game.

That gives Trabzonspor a reason to be patient. Last season proved that Onuachu can turn chances into goals at a remarkable rate. The current problem is less about whether Onuachu can score and more about whether Trabzonspor can get the best version of him into their new system.

If the transfer speculation fades and his understanding with the new players improves, the Nigerian has a clear record to point to. His 2025-26 season showed exactly what he can produce when his role, his teammates and his mind are all focused on the same task.