Paul Onuachu: How Darwin Núñez could decide Nigerian’s Trabzonspor future

Super Eagles striker Paul Onuachu has been linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League, and that could become a reality following Trabzonspor’s interest in Darwin Nunez, Afrik-Foot reports.

The Nigerian striker is attracting interest from Saudi Arabia after a season that saw him win the Golden Boot in Turkey, with Al Ahli preparing to push for a deal. Trabzonspor, however, are understood to want around €30 million before considering his departure.

Onuachu is open to the possibility of moving to Saudi Arabia, but will not force an exit. That leaves Trabzonspor with the final say, and their pursuit of Darwin Núñez could be crucial to that decision.

Why Núñez changes Onuachu’s situation

Onuachu scored 22 league goals last season and finished as the Süper Lig’s joint top scorer. He also added four goals in the Turkish Cup, taking his total to 26 goals in all competitions.

That makes selling him a risk, but the equation changes if Núñez arrives. Trabzonspor are working on a deal for the former Liverpool striker, with Sacha Tavolieri reporting that the Turkish club have reached an agreement with Al-Hilal over a loan.

🔵🟣 EXCL — Darwin Núñez to Trabzonspor is a done deal! 🇺🇾

🇺🇾 The Uruguayan striker will travel to Turkey tomorrow to complete his one-season loan move from Al Hilal FC. ✈️

🔄 Agreement completed. Trabzon won the fight over Besiktas JK. #TS #Trabzonspor #AlHilal pic.twitter.com/ba33f0V5pB

— Sacha Tavolieri (@sachatavolieri) August 14, 2026

Núñez would not be a direct replacement for everything Onuachu provides, but he would give Trabzonspor another proven attacking option and reduce their dependence on the Nigerian.

That could make the club more receptive to Al Ahli’s interest in Onuachu, provided the Saudi side meets their valuation.

Paul Onuachu has earned Trabzonspor’s leverage

Trabzonspor paid Southampton around €5.67m for Onuachu in 2025 after his initial loan spell, and the 32-year-old responded by producing the second-most prolific campaign of his career in Turkey.

That explains why the club can afford to demand a substantial fee, but also explains the dilemma.

Selling Onuachu for anything below their valuation could leave Trabzonspor weaker, even if Núñez arrives. Keeping him, meanwhile, would give the club one of the league’s most reliable goalscorers alongside another major attacking addition.

For Onuachu, a move to Saudi Arabia would represent another major chapter in his career and could offer a lucrative opportunity, but Trabzonspor’s dilemma is replacing the goals that would follow Onuachu’s exit.

That is why Núñez could become the decisive piece. If the Uruguayan completes his move to Trabzonspor, the Turkish club can negotiate with Al Ahli from a position of greater comfort.

If the deal collapses, keeping Onuachu becomes much more logical. There is another consideration, which is that Onuachu has already shown that he can deliver in Turkey.

After scoring 15 league goals during his first spell, he returned permanently and immediately produced 22 more in the league. His overall Trabzonspor record now stands at 43 goals in 62 appearances across his two spells.

Replacing that output is not guaranteed simply because another big-name striker arrives, and Darwin Nunez isn’t exactly known for being prolific in front of goal.

So while the focus will understandably remain on whether Al Ahli can meet Trabzonspor’s €30m asking price, the more pressing question may be what happens before that offer is accepted.

Darwin Núñez could determine whether Trabzonspor view Paul Onuachu as an irreplaceable goalscorer, or a valuable asset they can finally afford to cash in on.