Southampton-owned Super Eagles striker Paul Onuachu is reportedly the subject of a transfer tug-of-war between Trabzonspor and newly-promoted Turkish Super Lig side Goztepe.
Onuachu’s career has seen a reboot since joining Trabzonspor from Southampton on a one-year loan deal last year. The 29-year-old’s spell in Turkey has been a massive success, with his goals powering Trabzonspor to third place in the league.
Despite missing seven weeks of action due to a fracture on his left arm, the Nigeria international has contributed 12 goals and four assists in all competitions this season, and his form has led to Trabzonspor initiating talks to keep him permanently. Onuachu once again produced a man-of-the-match performance during last week’s 4-2 victory over Gazisehir Gaziantep in the Super Lig, where he netted a sensational hat-trick.
Southampton have reportedly slapped an asking price of €12 million on the striker, an amount that Trabzonspor find to be too high for their budget. However, the club now faces stiff competition from Goztepe for Onuachu’s signature. Goztepe are set to play in the Turkish top-flight next season after gaining promotion from the Trendyol 1. Lig, where they’re guaranteed a top 2 finish despite having two more matches to play.
Goztepe steal march on Trabzonspor in race for Onuachu due to links with Southampton
According to the Turkish daily Sabah, as republished by One Football, the newly promoted club wants to hijack Onuachu’s potential permanent move to Trabzonspor following the latter’s reluctance to meet Southampton’s valuation.
The report suggests Goztepe have even moved ahead of Trabzonspor in the race for the Nigerian striker’s signature due to the club’s links to Southampton. Goztepe are owned by the Sport Republic group, who are also the owners of English side Southampton.
This puts the club in a unique position and gives them an advantage in the negotiation for Onuachu. The report further suggests Trabzonspor would look to secure another loan deal for Onuachu if they cannot afford a permanent transfer but the Saints only want a permanent sale as they also aim to reinvest the money in their squad for next season, with promotion to the Premier League still possible for them via the Championship playoffs route.
Onuachu’s time at Southampton didn’t go according to plan, and the English side aren’t looking to welcome him back despite his impressive loan spell in Turkey. At Trabzonspor, however, the striker has settled in seamlessly and rediscovered his best form in the process.
Paul Onuachu’s big decision amidst transfer chess game
Meanwhile, the final decision will likely rest on the shoulders of Onuachu, who will have to decide where his future lies in the summer. The 29-year-old, who will turn 30 on May 28, has previously spoken of his desire to stay at Trabzonspor.
In an interview last month, the striker was quoted as saying he and his family had grown accustomed to the city of Trabzon and would be happy to extend their stay at Trabzonspor. “I am very happy in Trabzon. My family and I want to stay here,” Onuachu is quoted as saying by Saints Socialite.
However, Goztepe’s interest could change his mind, especially with the newly-promoted side in a better position to meet both the player’s and Southampton’s financial demands. The fact that Goztepe and the Saints share the same owners also makes it easier for an agreement to be reached between the two clubs for the striker’s signing.
Trabzonspor are not entirely out of the picture yet, and could still sign Onuachu if they pay Southampton’s €12 million asking price. Should that happen, the Turkish giants would be spending a chunk of their summer transfer budget on the Nigeria international, as the Saints are not prepared to entertain another loan offer for their forward.
