Nigerian striker Paul Onuachu’s potential return to Trabzonspor has hit a significant roadblock, as the Turkish club and Southampton remain at an impasse over the player’s transfer fee.
Onuachu, who enjoyed a prolific loan spell at Trabzonspor during the 2023–24 season, scoring 17 goals and providing four assists in 25 appearances, has been the subject of intense negotiations between the two clubs.
Trabzonspor’s management is eager to secure the 30-year-old forward on a permanent basis, making him a priority target for the upcoming summer transfer window.
However, discussions have been fraught with complications. Southampton initially set a price of €10 million for Onuachu, rejecting Trabzonspor’s €7 million offer.
Subsequent negotiations saw Southampton raising their asking price to €15 million, a figure that Trabzonspor President Ertuğrul Doğan deemed untenable.
“Southampton asked for seven million and we gave them that, they asked for ten, we went up to nine with bonuses, then they increased the asking fee to fifteen million,” Doğan stated.
“So, they weren’t going to give him to us. Therefore, we won’t force a deal somewhere else. If it is not on our terms, we will not be able to make this transfer.”
In an effort to reach a compromise, Trabzonspor reportedly submitted a club-record bid of €6 million plus a 25% share of any future sale.
Despite this, Southampton remained firm in their valuation. The Turkish club also explored a player-plus-cash deal, offering €7 million along with two players—Umut Bozok and Greek forward Taxiarchis Fountas—in exchange for Onuachu. The outcome of this proposal remains uncertain.
Onuachu’s contract with Southampton runs until June 2026. Since joining the English club from Belgian side KRC Genk in January 2023, he has made 37 appearances, including 25 this season, scoring four goals and providing one assist.
His tenure at Genk was notably more prolific, with 85 goals and eight assists in 135 matches.
As the summer transfer window approaches, the stalemate between Trabzonspor and Southampton leaves Onuachu’s future uncertain.
The Turkish club’s pursuit of the Nigerian striker underscores their commitment to bolstering their attacking options, but financial constraints and Southampton’s firm stance pose significant hurdles.
With both clubs holding their positions, it remains to be seen whether a resolution can be reached that satisfies all parties involved.
