Paul Onuachu, Darwin Nunez & Mo Salah together? How Trabzonspor’s bold attack could work

Turkish giants Trabzonspor have reached an agreement with Al-Hilal to sign former Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez on a one-season loan, Afrik-Foot reports.

The transfer gives the Uruguay international a route back to European football and a surprise reunion with Mohamed Salah.

The 27-year-old striker is set to join the Turkish club just days after Salah completed his own move to Trabzonspor. The two forwards previously played together at Liverpool and helped the English club win the 2024/25 Premier League title.

The agreement is designed to make Nunez’s move possible without Trabzonspor taking on his full salary. The Uruguay international is expected to earn €22 million during the loan season, which is more than the €17 million salary reportedly agreed for Salah. However, Trabzonspor will pay only €8 million of Nunez’s wages.

Al-Hilal will cover the other €14 million, allowing the Saudi Pro League club to move the striker out of its squad while reducing Trabzonspor’s financial burden. Turkish outlets HT Spor and Sozcu have reported that the agreement has been completed on all major terms.

Trabzonspor vice president Ibrahim Sahinkaya has been involved in negotiations in Saudi Arabia, while arrangements are being made for Nunez to travel to Trabzon for his medical and official presentation.

Nunez joined Al-Hilal from Liverpool in the summer of 2025 for about £46 million. He scored nine goals in 24 appearances during his first season in Saudi Arabia, but his situation changed after the club reshaped its squad.

Salah reunion adds another dimension to Trabzonspor attack

Nunez’s arrival gives Trabzonspor another attacking player with experience at the highest level of European football. His return to Turkey also brings him back alongside Salah, with whom he spent several seasons at Liverpool. Their partnership was built around Salah’s movement from the right and Nunez’s ability to attack space, run behind defenders and move away from the central striker position. That relationship could become important in Trabzonspor’s push to challenge Galatasaray and Fenerbahce.

Trabzonspor finished third in the Turkish Super Lig last season, earning a place in the UEFA Europa League. The club has since added Salah and Nunez, turning its attack into one of the most talked-about units in Turkey before the new campaign.

Nunez’s pace also gives manager Abdullah Avci another way to attack opponents. He can stretch defensive lines with runs behind the back four instead of relying only on crosses and passes into a fixed striker.

Nunez and Onuachu could form Trabzonspor’s new strike partnership

The former Algeria star is not expected to arrive as a direct replacement for Nigerian striker Paul Onuachu. The plan is for both forwards to play together, giving Avci a combination of power, height and speed.

Onuachu stands at 6-foot-7 and enjoyed a remarkable 2025/26 season. The Nigerian scored 22 league goals and 26 goals in all competitions, finishing as the joint-top scorer in the Super Lig. He also scored the winning goals that helped Trabzonspor lift the Turkish Cup.

His style is different from Nunez’s. Onuachu can hold up the ball, compete with defenders in the air and bring teammates into attacks. Nunez can then attack the spaces created around him with his pace and direct running.

That combination could also make it harder for defenders to focus on Salah. If opponents send extra players toward the Nigerian target man or Salah, Nunez could find room to attack.

Trabzonspor also have a safety net if Onuachu receives a major offer before the transfer deadline. Fenerbahce, Besiktas and Saudi clubs have shown interest in the 32-year-old, while Trabzonspor have reportedly placed a €30 million valuation on him.

Should Onuachu leave, Nunez would be capable of taking the central striker role. If Avci chooses a 4-3-3 system, Nunez could also operate from the left, with Onuachu through the middle and Salah on the right.

That would give Trabzonspor a front three combining Salah’s creativity, Nunez’s speed and Onuachu’s physical strength as the Turkish club prepares for a season that includes European competition.